THE   MIRACLES   OF     *      * 
OUR   LADY   SAINT   MARY 


THE  MIRACLES  OF    *    * 
OUR  LADY  SAINT  MARY 

BROUGHT   OUT   OF    DIVERS    TONGUES 
AND    NEWLY    SET  FORTH   IN   ENGLISH 

BY    EVELYN    UNDERHILL 


NEW  YORK:  E.   P.  BUTTON  6f  CO 
1906 


PRINTED  IN  ENGLAND 


All  rights  reserved 


B.  A.  C. 


CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION  page      xi 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  page  xxvii 

AND  FIRST  THE  PROLOGUE  page       i 

THE  CHAPLET  OF  ROSES  page       7 

And  herein  of  a  young  religious,  that  by  his 
devotion  did  crown  the  Virgin  Mary  every  day. 

THE  HEAVENLY  VESTURE  page     17 

Here  we  tell  of  a  Bishop  that  said  Mass  in  his 
church  before  Saint  Mary  and  her  meinie  ;  to 
whom  the  said  Lady  did  give  a  noble  vestment. 

GAUDE  MARIA  !  page     27 

How  wicked  men  took  a  little  boy,  because  he 
sang  the  Respond  of  Our  Lady  very  sweetly ; 
and  how  God's  Mother  did  preserve  him. 

BREAD  OF  ANGELS  page    41 

Here  we  tell  how  a  certain  novice  was  an 
hungered,  and  Our  Lady  gave  him  meat. 

vii 

270786 


CONTENTS 

,  I  -THE  KNIGHT  OF  THE  COSTREL  page    49 

Of  a  great  lord  that  might  not  accomplish  the 
penance  he  had,  and  how  Saint  Mary  helped 
him. 

THE  WINDOW  OF  PARADISE  page     63 

Here  we  tell  how  a  certain  sacristan  had  great 
comfort  of  Our  Lady,  because  of  these  words  : 
Coeli  fenestra  facta  es. 

STELLA  MARIS  page     71 

Here  are  told  certain  fair  miracles  that  Our 
Lady  Saint  Mary  did  upon  the  sea. 

THE  EYES  OF  THE  BLIND   -  page     85 

The  miracle  of  a  gentlewoman  to  whom  God's 
Mother  did  restore  the  sight  of  her  eyes. 

THE  LITTLE  CLERK  ^  page    97 

Here  we  tell  how  the  child  of  a  poor  woman 
gave  his  cake  to  Our  Lady's  Child. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  SURETY  page  107 

How  a  Christian  of  Byzance  did  borrow  from  a 
Jew,  and  gave  Our  Lord  to  be  his  pledge. 

^,      _OUR  LADY  OF  THE  TOURNAMENT        page  121 
Here  we  tell  the  history  of  the  Blessed  Walter  of 
Birbech    and    how  the   Virgin    Mary   honoured 
him  in  the  lists. 

THE  VIRGIN'S  BRIDEGROOM  page  133 

And  herein  the  history  of  a  certain  child  that 
betrothed  himself  to  the  image  of  Our  Lady. 

viii 


_ CONTENTS 

THE  LILY  page  145 

Of  a  knight  that  was  monk  of  Citeaux  ;  the 
which  could  learn  no  Latin  save  the  words,  Ave 
Maria  ! 

THE  MINSTREL  OF  ROC  AMADOUR       page  155 
How  he  made  music  for  Madame  Saint  Mary's 
sake,  and  had  therefrom  exceeding  sweet  reward. 

THE  VIGILS  OF  THE  DEAD  page  165 

Here  is  told  the  history  of  a  certain  noble  virgin, 
that  said  every  day  the  Hours  of  Our  Lady,  and 
once  a  week  the  Vigils  of  thq  Dead. 

THE  CHILD  VOWED  TO  THE  DEVIL     page  179 
Of  a  little  boy,  that  was  dedicate  to  the  Devil  at 
the  hour  of  his  birth  ;  and  how  the  Virgin  Mary 
saved  him. 

SPONSAE  CHRISTI  page  193 

Here  we  tell  how  Our  Lady  doth  cherish  her 
daughters  in  religion,  that  are  betrothed  to  be 
the  brides  of  her  dear  Son. 

THE  HOSTAGE  page  207 

How  a  poor  woman  that  was  a  widow  did  take 
from  God's  Mother  her  Child,  for  her  own  that 
was  condemned  to  be  hanged 

OUR  LADY  OF  THE  LINTEL  page  219 

And  herein  of  a  monk  that  was  a  painter,  the 
which  painted  the  Devil  as  foully  as  he  knew 
how. 

ix 


CONTENTS 

SAINT  MARY'S  SCHOLAR  page  231 

How  he  did  serve  his  glorious  Mistress ;  and  of 
the  reward  that  she  gave  him. 

THE  CELESTIAL  MEDICINE  page  245 

Here  tell  we  the  history  of  a  certain  brother  that 
was  converted  from  the  practice  of  pharmacy  to 
that  of  religion  by  Our  Lady's  grace. 

THE  DOVE  THAT  RETURNED  page  255 

How  a  certain  clerk  devoted  to  the  Virgin  Mary 
invoked  the  Devil  by  necromancy,  that  he  might 
gain  a  bride  thereby. 

SAINT  THOMAS  OF  CANTERBURY  page  271 

Herein  are  told  certain  favours  that  Our  Lady 
did  for  this  lover  of  hers,  and  also  the  history  of 
the  Priest  that  knew  but  one  Mass. 

THE  DIVINE  ENCOUNTER  page  287 

Of  a  young  gentlewoman  that  was  accustomed  to 
incite  the  little  children  to  say  Ave9  Maria  !  And 
how  God  appeared  to  her  in  the  form  of  a  little 
child. 

THE  CHURCH  THAT  IS  IN  EGYPT         page  295 
Here  we  tell  how  the  most  holy  Virgin  appeared 
to   the  Archbishop    Theophilus,   and    instructed 
him  concerning  the  journey  that  she  took  into 
Egypt  with  her  Son. 


INTRODUCTION 


INTRODUCTION 

THIS  book  constitutes  an  attempt  to  re-  Introduction 
introduce  to  English  readers  a  cycle  of 
old  tales  in  which  their  ancestors  took  great 
delight — a  by-way  of  mediaeval  literature  which, 
from  one  cause  or  another,  is  now  practically  un- 
known except  to  professed  students  of  folklore 
and  hagiography.  This  cycle,  the  Miracles  of 
Our  Lady,  or,  to  give  it  its  terse  and  technical 
name,  the  Mary- legends,  is  formed  by  a  large 
group  of  religio-romantic  stories,  linked  together 
by  no  closer  tie  than  the  fact  that  the  Virgin 
Mary  supplies  the  supernatural  element  in  each. 
Varying  between  the  extremes  of  mysticism  and 
melodrama,  and  belonging  to  many  periods  and 
places,  from  England  to  Egypt,  from  the 
fourth  century  to  the  fifteenth,  they  have  yet 
contrived  to  assemble  themselves  together,  and 
even  to  acquire  a  certain  family  likeness.  Their 
number  is  astonishingly  great :  in  the  "  Analecta 
Bollandiana  "  over  four  hundred  are  indexed.  In 
such  a  mass  of  material  there  is  much,  of 
course,  which  is  monotonous,  unedifying,  or 
otherwise  unsuited  to  the  general  reader ;  but 
nearly  all  these  legends,  whether  they  be 

xiii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  historical,  allegorical,  or — as  is  often  the  case- 
pious  adaptations  of  secular  folk-tales,  are  full 
of  interest  for  the  student  of  mediaeval  manners 
and  Christian  mythology. 

Though  now  almost  entirely  forgotten,  for 
over  four  centuries  the  Miracles  of  Our  Lady 
occupied  a  very  prominent  place  in  popular 
literature.  They  are  the  fairy-tales  of  mediaeval 
Catholicism ;  the  result  of  the  reaction  of 
religion  on  that  spirit  which  produced  the 
romances  of  chivalry.  These  tales  bring  us  to 
the  Courts  of  Paradise,  but  the  atmosphere  is 
still  that  of  the  Courts  of  Love.  By  turns  homely 
and  heroic,  visionary  and  realistic,  they  do  in 
literature  that  which  the  Gothic  sculptors  do  in 
art ;  make  a  link  between  heaven  and  earth, 
give  actual  and  familiar  significance  to  the  most 
awful  mysteries  of  faith,  and  set  the  Queen  of 
Angels  in  the  midst  of  her  faithful  friends. 

As  other  fairy  tales,  behind  their  apparent  if 
adorable  absurdities,  carry  a  secret  message  for 
those  who  can  pierce  the  veil,  so  in  these  legends 
great  mysteries  are  often  concealed.  It  was  in 
this  form  that  those  mysteries  were  able  to  come 
out  from  the  cloister  and  spread  themselves  in 
the  world  ;  for  it  was  amongst  the  people 
that  the  Mary-legends  prospered,  and  to  the 
people  that  they  were  primarily  addressed. 
They  adorned  sermons,  they  provided  subjects 
for  poetry,  painting  and  sculpture,  they  were  a 
part  of  the  texture  of  the  common  life. 

In  England,  where  devotion  to  Our  Lady  has 
always  flourished,  her  miracles  were  well 
xiv 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

known  and  greatly  loved.  They  are  sculp-  Introduction 
tured  in  the  arcading  of  the  Lady  Chapel  at 
Ely  Cathedral,  and  painted  in  the  margins  of 
Queen  Mary's  Psalter,  and  other  masterpieces 
of  the  English  illuminating  schools.  Unfor- 
tunately, however,  few  were  written  in  the 
English  language.  The  early  collections,  made 
for  the  use  of  preachers,  or  for  the  edification 
of  those  lords  and  ladies  in  whom  the  trou- 
badours had  roused  a  passion  for  romance, 
are  always  either  in  Latin,  the  language  of 
religion,  or  in  Norman-French,  the  language 
of  the  Court.  These  Latin  and  French  MSS. 
still  exist  in  great  numbers  in  most  of  the 
great  European  libraries  ;  sometimes  alone,  more 
often  bound  up  with  prayers,  tracts,  homilies, 
and  miscellaneous  religious  tales.  They  begin 
to  be  common  in  the  twelfth  century,  are  most 
numerous  in  the  thirteenth,  and  come  to  an  end 
at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century,  the  dooms- 
day of  so  many  simple  and  delightful  things.-: 

The  most  complete  collections  of  the  Mary- 
legends  were  made  in  France.  There,  in  the 
thirteenth  century,  the  Dominican  friar,  Vincent 
of  Beauvais,  brought  together  in  the  seventh 
book  of  that  dull  but  careful  compilation,  the 
"Speculum  Historiale,"all  the  most  popular  and 
best  known  of  Saint  Mary's  miracles.  There 
also  in  the  same  period  Gautier  de  Coincy,  a 
monk  of  the  Abbey  of  Saint  Medard  at  Soissons, 
wrote  in  rhymed  couplets  of  an  adorable  naivete^ 
his  "  Miracles  de  la  Sainte  Vierge."  Whilst 
Vincent  is  a  mere  compiler,  and  does  nothing 

xv 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  to  improve  the  generally  terse  and  arid  style  of 
the  originals  from  which  he  worked,  Gautier 
is  a  poet,  in  love  with  his  subject,  which  he 
adorns  with  innumerable  fancies,  quaint  poetic 
details,  rhapsodies  and  invocations  full  of  fire. 
All  lovers  of  old  poetry  should  know  his 
book.  In  him,  I  think,  the  Mary-legends 
found  their  finest  expression.  Neither  his  pre- 
decessor, the  twelfth-century  poet  Adgar, 
with  his  barbaric  Norman-French  verse,  nor 
his  fifteenth-century  follower,  Jean  Mielot, 
who  wrote  for  Philip  the  Good,  Duke  of  Bur- 
gundy, "Les  Miracles  de  Nostre  Dame,"  in  pretty 
but  insipid  French  prose,  approach  his  level. 

Here  and  there,  however,  amongst  the 
more  fragmentary  Latin  collections,  we  find  a 
writer  whose  vivid  style  and  sharp  sense  of 
detail  places  his  work  in  the  first  rank.  It  is 
in  such  fragmentary  collections  that  many  of  the 
best  stories,  omitted  by  the  great  compilers, 
are  hid — in  MS.  sermons,  histories  of  the 
religious  orders,  and  those  books  of  anec- 
dotes which  every  mediaeval  library  possessed. 
Here  one  often  finds  significant  variants  of 
the  more  widespread  tales ;  additions  and 
alterations  made  to  suit  the  tastes  of  the  indi- 
vidual or  community  for  whom  the  MS.  was 
written.  Few  modern  editors  would  care  to 
take  the  liberties  which  these  mediaeval  scribes 
allowed  themselves.  Favours  done  to  one 
monastic  order  are  attributed  to  another  ;  some- 
times the  venue  of  the  miracle  is  changed,  that 
it  may  be  given  a  more  local  interest ;  details 
xvi 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  characters  are  added  or  eliminated  at  will.  Introduction 

Thus  it  is  that  of  all  the  chief  Mary-legends 

endless  variants  exist ;   and  also  that  in  some 

cases  one  tale  has  become  the  mother  of  many 

others,  which,  all  evidently  springing  from  the 

same  root,  show  strong  family  resemblances,  and 

equally  strong  individual   differences.      There 

is,  for  instance,  the  so-called  Mary-bridegroom 

group,  in  which  the  hero,  betrothing  himself  to 

an  image  of  the  Virgin,  is  afterwards  prevented 

by  her  from  contracting  an   earthly  marriage. 

This  group  is  paralleled  in  folk-lore  by  the  old 

tale  of  "  The  Ring  given  to  Venus."     Perhaps 

next  in  size  and  importance  is  the  Rosary  group, 

a  family  of  beautiful  legends   centred    in  the 

idea   that    the  Aves    said    by  the  faithful    are 

turned  to  roses  by  Our  Lady's  grace.     Other 

well-marked  classes  are  the  stories  relating  to 

the  Virgin's  Electuary,  the  Mantle  of  Mercy, 

and  the  Star  of  the  Sea. 

I  have  said  that  there  are  no  Early  English 
collections  of  Miracles  of  the  Virgin.  Except 
for  one  or  two  tales  of  this  sort  in  the  South 
English  Legendary  and  Northumbrian  Verse 
Homilies,  England,  until  the  time  of  the  in- 
vention of  printing,  read  her  Mary-legends  in 
Latin  or  French.  But  in  A.D.  1483  Caxton  pub- 
lished an  English  translation  of  the  "  Legenda 
Aurea,"  and  with  it  those  Miracles  of  the 
Virgin  which  are  inserted  in  the  homilies 
on  the  Purification,  Annunciation,  Assump- 
tion, and  Nativity  of  Our  Lady.  These,  how- 
ever, are  few  in  number ;  and,  except  for  the 

b  xvii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  very  fine  Candlemas  story  at  the  Purification, 
they  are  tersely  and  baldly  told,  comparing  ill 
with  his  picturesque  and  vigorous  legends  of 
the  saints.  A  little  later,  in  A.D.  1514,  his 
successor,  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  "  enprynted  in 
London  in  Flete  strete  at  the  sygne  of  the 
sonne,"  a  tiny  book  of  "  Myracles  of  our  Lady  " 
— a  first  and  last  attempt  to  popularise  a  selection 
of  the  Mary-legends  in  the  English  tongue  : 
but  as  his  work  is  in  black-letter,  and  no  new 
edition  has  appeared  since  the  sixteenth  century, 
it  has  not,  at  the  present  day,  a  large  public. 

So  much,  then,  for  the  forms  in  which  the 
Miracles  of  the  Virgin  have  come  down  to  us. 
In  subject,  they  vary  between  the  crudest  sensa- 
tionalism and  the  heights  of  mystical  devotion  ; 
and  often  enough  both  extremes  are  present  in 
the  same  tale,  as,  for  instance,  in  "The  Dove  that 
Returned"  and  "  The  Virgin's  Bridegroom." 
Many  are  evidently  local  legends  which  after- 
wards obtained  a  wider  celebrity,  being  concerned 
with  miracles  wrought  by  Our  Lady  at  specific 
shrines  and  holy  places.  The  great  French 
pilgrimages  of  Laon,  Soissons,  Mont  S.  Michel, 
Chartres,  and  Roc  Amadour,  had  each  such  a 
cycle  of  stories.  From  them  come  "The  Minstrel 
of  Roc  Amadour  "  and  "The  Eyes  of  the  Blind." 
Another  group  relates  favours  shown  by  Our 
Lady  to  the  saints.  These  also,  in  the  first 
instance,  probably  arose  near  the  shrines  of  the 
saints  whom  they  commemorate,  and,  spreading 
with  their  fame,  became  absorbed  into  the 
general  cycle  of  Mary-legends,  losing  all  con- 
xviii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

nection  with  their  place  of  origin,  sometimes  Introduction 

even  surviving  in  a  vague  and  general  form  after 

the  very  names  of   their  heroes  were  forgot. 

Thus  we  find  compilers  to  whom  the  names  of 

Saint  Bon  and  the  Blessed  Walter  of  Birbech 

were    quite    unknown,    relating    their    legends 

under  the  titles  of  "  A  certain  Bishop  to  whom 

Our  Lady  gave  a  Vestment  "  and  "  A  certain 

Knight  that  tarried  to  hear  Mass." 

I  have  included  three  stories  of  saints  in  this 
collection — "  Saint  Thomas  of  Canterbury," 
"  Our  Lady  of  the  Tournament,"  and  "  The 
Heavenly  Vesture."  Saint  Thomas,  I  hope,  needs 
no  introduction  to  English  readers,  though 
perhaps  few  have  heard  of  the  very  practical  and 
womanly  service  which  Saint  Mary  rendered 
him  in  the  choir  of  Pontigny  church.  Saint 
Bon,  to  whom  she  gave  the  Heavenly  Vesture, 
was  much  venerated  in  the  south  of  France  in 
the  Middle  Ages.  He  was  bishop  of  Clermont 
in  Auvergne  A.D.  689-699,  and  the  vestment 
with  which  the  Virgin  rewarded  his  piety  was 
preserved  in  the  treasury  of  the  Cathedral  of 
Clermont  as  late  as  the  twelfth  century,  when 
it  was  seen  and  handled  by  Herbert  Losinga, 
Bishop  of  Norwich.  This  legend,  based  on  the 
very  ancient  and  long-forgotten  tradition  that 
none  may  enter  a  church  in  the  night  hours 
lest  they  disturb  the  angels  at  their  prayers, 
must  certainly  have  had  an  early  origin,  and 
probably  arose  soon  after  Saint  Bon's  death  at 
the  end  of  the  seventh  century.  The  Blessed 
Walter  of  Birbech,  for  whom  Our  Lady  of  the 

xix 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  Tournament  rode  in  the  lists,  was  a  Cistercian 
monk,  beatified  but  not  canonised,  who  died 
in  the  Abbey  of  Himmerode  in  the  Eifel,  circ. 
1222.  In  the  same  century  his  life  and 
miracles  were  written  at  some  length  by 
another  German  Cistercian,  Caesarius,  of  the 
daughter  house  of  Heisterbach,  in  his  "  Dia- 
logus  Miraculorum." 

Perhaps  next  in  interest  to  the  stories  of  the 
saints  are  the  religious  folk-tales  ;  delicious  and 
fantastic  stories,  many  of  them  still  retaining  a 
strong  Oriental  flavour.  These  are  in  most 
cases,  like  the  legend  of  Saint  Barlaam  and 
Saint  Josaphat  (for  which  see  the  "Legenda 
Aurea  "),  Eastern  tales  converted  to  the  uses  of 
Christianity.  Most  of  them  are  located  in 
Egypt  or  Constantinople,  and  are  probably 
amongst  the  most  ancient  of  the  Mary-legends 
known  in  the  West.  A  version  of  "  The  Chris- 
tian's Surety  "  has  been  found  by  Mr.  Baring 
Gould  in  a  Greek  sermon  of  the  tenth  century. 
It  is  an  early  example  of  the  anti-Semitic  tale,  of 
which  I  have  given  another  instance  in  the  story 
here  called  "  Gaude,  Maria  !  " — the  original 
of  the  "  Prioress'  Tale  "  in  Chaucer's  Canter- 
bury Tales.  "  The  Christian's  Surety"  is  a  great 
favourite  with  the  later  French  compilers;  it 
appears  in  Gautier  de  Coincy's  collection,  and 
also  forms  the  subject  of  a  miracle  play  in 
"  Les  Miracles  de  Notre  Dame  par  Person- 
nages."  So,  also,  does  the  rather  bizarre  story 
of  "  The  Child  Vowed  to  the  Devil,"  a  tale  which, 
like  that  of  "  The  Dove  that  Returned,"  seems 
xx 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

to  have  some  affinities  with  the  wild  romances  Introduction 
of  the  «  Vitae  Patrum." 

After  the  folk-tales,  sometimes  inextricably 
confused  with  them,  come  the  mystical  and 
allegorical  legends.  It  is  amongst  these  that 
we  find  the  most  lovely  and  poetic  of  the 
miracles  of  Our  Lady ;  though  even  such 
stories  are  not  entirely  free  from  that  extraor- 
dinary blend  of  mockery  and  piety,  high  heaven 
and  base  earth — the  "  love  that  built  the  cathe- 
drals "  and  the  "  laughter  that  filled  them  with 
grotesques  " — which  seems  inseparable  from 
Gothic  art.  Designed  for  the  most  part  to  light 
up  some  dogma  or  observance  of  the  Church, 
or  glorify  the  religious  life,  these  are  quieter, 
more  visionary  in  tone,  than  either  the  folk- 
tales or  legends  of  the  saints.  I  have  already 
referred  to  the  rosary  motif ^  here  represented 
by  "  The  Chaplet  of  Roses,"  "The  Lily,"  and 
the  second  part  of  "  Sponsas  Christi."  In  the 
beautiful  story  of  "  Bread  of  Angels "  we 
have  an  allegory  of  the  Mass;  in  "The 
Knight  of  the  Costrel,"  the  sacrament  of 
penance.  To  the  mystical  class  belong  also, 
in  some  degree,  "  The  Celestial  Medicine," 
"  The  Divine  Encounter,"  and  the  celebrated 
story  of  "  The  Nun  who  Desired  the  World." 
This,  the  original  of  Mr.  Davidson's  "  Ballad 
of  a  Nun,"  and  M.  Maeterlinck's  "Soeur 
Beatrice,"  is  almost  the  only  Mary-legend 
which  has  been  treated  by  a  writer  of  our  own 
time  :  and  for  that  reason  I  have  not  retold 
it  here. 

xxi 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  Finally,  in  the  legend  of  "  The  Church  that  is 
in  Egypt  "  we  have  a  story  which  stands  in  many 
respects  alone.  The  other  Miracles  of  the 
Virgin,  as  I  have  said,  form  a  cycle,  of  which 
numerous  MSS.,  in  French  and  Latin,  still  sur- 
vive. But  of  this  tale  there  is  no  trace  in  any 
of  the  Western  collections :  only  one  version  of 
it  is  known,  an  Ethiopian  text,  containing 
Miracles  of  the  Virgin  and  magical  prayers, 
now  in  the  Lady  Meux  MSS.  This  MS.  has 
been  translated  and  printed  by  Dr.  E.  A.  T. 
Wallis  Budge,  to  whose  great  kindness  I  am 
indebted  for  permission  to  include  "  The  Church 
that  is  in  Egypt  "  in  this  book.  In  it  we  have  a 
legend  which  puts  us  in  immediate  touch  with 
the  primitive  Coptic  Church.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  it  differs  greatly  in  tone  from  the 
other  Miracles,  which  have  had  time,  in  the 
course  of  a  long  descent  through  many  MSS., 
to  lose  most  of  their  primitive  features  and 
pick  up  mediaeval  ones  in  their  place.  This 
tale  has  been,  so  to  speak,  isolated  :  as  a  result, 
it  is  fresh,  strange,  entirely  un-European.  It 
is  evident,  from  its  accurate  local  colour,  that 
it  was  written  in  Egypt  for  the  use  and  encour- 
agement of  the  Coptic  Church,  and  probably 
not  later  than  the  fifth  century.  Theophilus, 
or  Philotheus,  whose  vision  it  relates,  was 
Pa triarch  of  Alexandria  A. D.  385-412;  and  this 
story  must  have  taken  shape  shortly  after,  if  not 
actually  during,  his  life.  The  account  that  it 
gives  of  the  Flight  into  Egypt  contains  many 
details  which  are  not  found  in  the  apocryphal 
xxii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

gospels  of  the  Infancy,  the  Pseudo-Matthew,  Introduction 
and  Saint  James,  from  which  the  Eastern  Church 
obtained  its  history  and  the  Byzantine  artists 
their  iconography  of  the  life  of  the  Virgin  and 
the  childhood  of  Christ.  The  Holy  Family 
here  go  on  foot ;  Salome,  as  in  the  Coptic  His- 
tory of  Joseph  the  Carpenter,  accompanies 
them.  The  incidents  of  the  healing  fountain, 
and  the  dwelling  in  the  temple  of  Heliopolis, 
are  peculiar  to  this  legend,  but  the  story  of  the 
two  thieves  appears,  in  a  slightly  different  form, 
in  the  Arabic  Gospel  of  the  Infancy.  There  is 
little,  however,  in  the  Apocryphal  Gospels  to 
equal  the  circumstantial  and  realistic  quality  of 
the  vision  of  Theophilus,  which  is  full  of  the 
living  and  convincing  touches  that  come  only 
from  the  most  intense  simplicity  or  the  highest 
art.  It  is  too  old  to  be  mediaeval,  for  it  comes 
from  a  period  when  the  freshness  of  childhood 
still  hung  about  the  legends  of  the  Church,  and 
belongs  rather  to  that  eternal  art  of  story-telling 
which  is  neither  ancient  nor  modern,  but  exists 
wherever  human  life  exists  and  is  observed. 

So  much  for  the  facts.  This  book,  how- 
ever, has  not  been  written  for  the  student  of 
facts,  who  will  naturally  fly  to  some  more 
learned  treatise  :  it  is  offered  rather  to  the 
amateur,  of  old  faiths  and  fancies,  who  may  find 
here  a  dim  picture  of  the  City  of  Mansoul  as  it 
was  before  the  Reformation  came,  like  some 
spiritual  County  Council,  to  cleanse  its  streets 
of  the  picturesque  and  unprofitable  litter  of  the 
past.  My  object  has  been  to  show  something 

xxiii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  of  the  intimate  charm  of  the  mediaeval  attitude 
towards  the  Virgin  Mary — an  attitude  part- 
familiar,  part-chivalrous,  part-devout,  which 
was  far-reaching  in  its  effect  on  the  mental 
temper  and  artistic  ideals  of  the  thirteenth  and 
fourteenth  centuries.  This  was  the  attitude 
which  produced  such  sculpture  as  the  Gothic 
Madonnas  of  Flanders  and  France  ;  such  paint- 
ings as  the  Psalter  of  Saint  Louis  ;  such  poems 
as  "  Veni  Coronaberis."  For  those  who  wrote, 
read,  and  lived  by  these  legends,  the  Virgin 
Mary  was  at  once  Queen,  Mother,  Mystery  and 
familiar  friend  ;  not  only  the  ineffable  Mother 
of  God,  but  also  the  very  courteous  chatelaine 
of  Heavenly  Syon,  who  would  not  disdain  to 
open  the  window  to  her  lovers  when  Saint  Peter 
shut  the  door,  as  "The  Window  of  Paradise  " 
relates  :  the  practical  and  resourceful  •  Help  of 
Christians,  no  less  than  the  Mystic  Rose. 

Less  awful  than  the  Deity,  more  power- 
ful than  the  Saints,  one  might  speak  with 
"  Madame  Saint  Mary  "  as  woman  to  woman, 
as  lover  to  mistress ;  might  rely  on  her  human 
sympathy  in  matters  of  the  body,  as  well  as  on 
her  mystical  intercession  in  the  affairs  of  the 
soul.  Thus  it  comes  about  that  a  certain 
familiarity,  a  bold  reliance  on  the  patience  and 
comprehension  of  the  Woman,  her  interest  in 
all  things  little  and  great,  her  desire  for  her 
servants7  love,  becomes  mixed  with  the  awe 
and  reverence  proper  to  those  who  invoke  the 
Queen  of  Heaven.  As  a  mother  evokes  in  her 
children  at  once  the  simplest,  most  intimate 
xxiv 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

confidence  and  also  the  most  exalted  emotion :  Introduction 
as  they  come  to  her,  with  no  sense  of  incon- 
gruity, in  their  most  trivial  necessities  no  less 
than  in  the  most  sacred  moments  of  their  lives, 
so  "  Goddes  Moder  and  oures  "  received  from 
those  who  were  in  every  sense  her  children, 
simple  and  familiar  friendship,  mystical  adora- 
tion, and  unfailing  trust. 

To  drag  back  this  sentiment  and  its  literary 
expression  from  the  shadow-land  to  which  it 
has  retreated  is,  therefore,  the  aim  of  this  book. 
In  writing  it,  I  have  made  full  use  of  the 
editorial  privileges  which  my  mediaeval  prede- 
cessors always  allowed  themselves,  and  have 
paraphrased,  rather  than  translated,  the  material 
from  which  I  worked.  Sometimes  I  have  con- 
densed, sometimes  expanded ;  sometimes  two 
or  three  different  versions  of  a  legend  have 
been  collated  and  the  best  details  chosen  from 
each.  No  plot — except  for  really  necessary 
editing — has  been  tampered  with,  but  the 
student  of  hagiography  must  not  be  offended  if 
he  find  here  and  there  a  story,  known  to  him 
in  an  intolerably  bald,  didactic,  or  improper 
form,  which  has  been,  like  the  kiss  which 
Rodolphe  received  back  from  the  lady,  <c  revu, 
corrige,  et  considerablement  augmente,"  in  its 
passage  from  the  middle  to  the  present  age. 

I  must  here  offer  my  most  sincere  thanks  to 
two  kind  friends,  without  whose  constant  help 
and  encouragement  this  version  of  the  Miracles 
of  Our  Lady  could  scarcely  have  been  made. 
Firstly,  to  Mr.  J.  A.  Herbert,  of  the  Depart- 

c  xxv 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Introduction  ment  of  MSS.  in  the  British  Museum,  who  first 
introduced  me  to  the  Mary-legends,  and  has 
throughout  placed  his  great  knowledge  of  the 
subject  at  my  disposal,  and  given  me  all  pos- 
sible help.  Secondly,  to  Mr.  Arthur  Machen, 
who  read  the  MS.,  and  to  whose  kind  sugges- 
tions and  criticisms  it  owes  more  than  can  here 
be  expressed. 

E.  U. 

ASOLO,  May  1905. 


XXVI 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

[THE  following  short  list  contains  only  the  principal 
books  and  MSS.  which  I  have  consulted,  and  does  not 
pretend  to  completeness.] 

MANUSCRIPT  SOURCES. 
(All  in  the  British  Museum.) 

Royal,  6  B  X;  Arundel,  346,  406;  Harley,  2316; 
Egerton,  612 ;  Additional,  15723,  27909,  32248, 
33956. 

PRINTED  BOOKS. 

Budge,  E.  A.  T.  Wallis.     "  Miracles  of  the  Blessed 

Virgin    Mary,"   &c.      Lady    Meux   MSS.    1-5. 

1898-1900. 
Caesarius  of  Heisterbach.     "  Dialogus  Miraculorum." 

Ed.  Strange,  Cologne,  1851. 
Cowper,  B.  Harris.     "  The  Apocryphal  Gospels,  and 

other    Documents    relating    to    the    History   of 

Christ."     London:   1867. 
"Exordium  Magnum  Ordinis  Cisterciensis."    Migne, 

Patrologia  Latina.     Vol.  185. 
Gautier   de    Coincy.     "  Les    Miracles   de    la   Sainte 

Vierge,  traduits  et  mis  en  vers."     Ed.   L'Abbe 

Poquet.     Paris  :   1857. 
Hagen,  F.  H.  von  der.     "  Gesammtabenteuer :  alt- 

deutsche  Erzahlungen."     Stuttgart:   1850. 

xxvii 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Jacobus     a     Voragine.       "  Legenda     Aurea."      Ed. 

Graesse.     Dresden  :   1846. 
Mielot,  Jean.     "  Miracles    de    Nostre  Dame."     Ed. 

from  the  MS.  in  the  Bodleian  Library  by  G.  F. 

Warner.     Roxburghe  Club.  1885. 
"  Miracles  de  Notre  Dame  par  Personnages."     Soc.  des 

Anciens  Textes  Francais.      1876-1881. 
Neuhaus,  Carl.     "Adgar's  Marienlegenden."     Heil- 

bronn  :   1886. 
"  Die   Lateinischen    Vorlagen    zu    den    alt- 

franzosischen      Adgar'schen      Marienlegenden." 

Heilbronn:   1886. 
Thomas    de    Cantimpre.     "Bonum     Universale    de 

Apibus."     Douay :   1627. 
Vincent      of     Beauvais.      "  Speculum     Historiale." 

Douay:'  1624. 

"  Vitae  Patrum."    Migne,  Patrologia  Latina.    Vol.  73. 
Ward,  H.  L.  D.     "  Catalogue  of  Romances  in  the 

Department  of  MSS.  in   the  British  Museum." 

Vol.2.     London:   1893. 
Wynkyn    de    Worde.      "  Myracles    of    our    Lady." 

London  :  1514. 


XXVlll 


AND  FIRST  THE  PROLOGUE 


HERE  begin  we  a  little  Prologue  concern-  The 
ing  the  miracles  of  our  sweet  Lady,  that  Prologue 
is  the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  For  whereas 
to  the  glory  of  God  Almighty,  pious  men  have 
ofttimes  told  and  set  in  writing  many  fair 
miracles  of  the  glorious  Saints  that  are  in 
Paradise,  the  which  miracles  the  Divine  Majesty 
has  done  through  them ;  how  much  more 
ought  we  to  tell  the  wonders  and  mercies  that 
are  done  by  the  Blessed  Virgin  that  is  the 
Mother  of  God,  since  these  are  sweeter  than 
honey  ! 

And  I  would  have  you  to  know,  dilectissimi, 
that  these  miracles  of  hers,  and  all  the  holy 
gestes  and  devout  adventures  herein  writ,  tell 
not  of  any  greater  marvel  than  that  of  her  un- 
failing love.  For  truly  it  is  a  matter  for  great 
wonder  and  thankfulness,  that  she  has  this  desire 
toward  us,  that  are  her  poor  children,  for  that 
we  were  made  the  brethren  of  her  Son.  More- 
over we  likewise  rehearse  that  love  which  her 
loyal  servants  had  for  her  ;  by  the  which  love 
they  were  enabled  to  look  upon  her  face,  and 
hear  her  voice,  as  is  testified  in  the  histories  of 

3 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Saint  Bon   and   Saint  Thomas  of  Canterbury. 

Prologue  And  by  these  acts  of  hers  we  may  further  learn 
after  what  fashion  she  would  have  us  love  her : 
as  that  we  should  worship  her  queenly,  and  serve 
her  with  sacrifice  and  with  purity,  and  call  upon 
her  as  on  a  friend.  And  also  you  may  read  of 
that  most  piteous  charity  which  the  Queen  of 
Angels  hath  us-ward,  whereby  she  is  constrained 
to  show  mercy  to  the  poor  and  simple,  and  to 
succour  the  wicked  in  their  extremity,  and  to 
defend  her  servitors :  for  truly  doth  she  show 
courtesy  to  all  that  reverently  entreat  her  Name. 
Therefore  for  all  these  causes  is  it  befitting  that 
these  her  miracles  should  now  be  written,  to 
confirm  in  her  love  the  thoughts  of  all  faithful 
Christians,  and  to  stir  the  hearts  of  slothful 
men. 

And  furthermore,  carissimi^  let  it  not  be  to 
you  an  occasion  of  contempt  that  of  these  tales 
ensuing  many  tell  of  them  that  took  on  the 
habit  of  religion  ;  and  of  the  graces  and  adven- 
tures that  to  them  befell.  For  know  that  to 
those  that  dwell  in  quietness  in  the  convent, 
having  their  minds  set  on  Heaven  and  keeping 
their  souls  in  peace,  holy  visitations  often  come. 
Yea  !  as  in  sheltered  gardens  flowers  do  prosper, 
so  in  the  cloister  pious  histories  flourish  :  these 
are  little  chalices  of  honeyed  sweetness  very 
often,  and  ever  matters  meet  for  thankful- 
ness, for  they  be  harbingers  of  a  spiritual 
fruit.  Come  therefore  to  this  garden,  where 
I,  that  am  but  a  pilgrim  and  a  sojourner 
therein,  have  sought  out  certain  flowers,  to 

4 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

wit   lilies,   for   the    better  honouring    of    Our  The 
Lady's  beauty,  and  that  all  her  faithful  children  Prologue 
may  be  glad. 

AND  HERE  FOLLOW  THE  MIRACLES  OF 
OUR  LADY. 


THE  CHAPLET  OF  ROSES 


AND  HEREIN  OF  A  YOUNG  RELIGIOUS  THAT 
BY  HIS  DEVOTION  DID  CROWN  THE  VIRGIN 
MARY  EVERY  DAY 

HERE  tell  we  the  history  of  a  young  monk}  The  Chaplet 
the  which  lived  under  the  rule  of  our  of  Roses 
father  Saint  Benedict  and  had  a  very  great  devo- 
tion for  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary  :  and  because 
of  this  love  of  his,  he  kept  in  his  cell  a  fair  image 
of  that  Lady,  carved  and  painted  to  the  semblance 
of  a  living  woman,  that  thereto  he  might  pay  his 
courteous  reverence.  And  even  as  lovers  of  an 
earthly  mistress  do  search  out  and  contrive  what 
curious  and  delightful  service  they  may  offer  her, 
deeming  themselves  happy  in  that  they  may 
spend  themselves  for  her  honour,  and  looking 
for  no  better  reward,  so  also  did  this  young  re- 
ligious for  his  heavenly  Friend. 

Thus  it  came  about  that  in  the  summer,  which 
is  the  time  of  roses,  he  would  salute  the  Flower 
of  the  World  under  that  name  of  Rosa  Mystica 
which  her  litany  hath  given  :  and  he  would  also 
make  for  her  a  chaplet  of  red  roses,  and  would 
offer  it  upon  his  knees  to  the  image  that  was  in 
his  cell,  making  a  very  humble  salutation  to  the 
Lady  of  his  desire.  And  so  great  was  his  ardour 

9 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Chaplet  of  giving  that  it  wrought  upon  itself  a  miracle, 
of  Roses  as  love  indeed  hath  power  to  do  :  for  though  it 
was  but  to  the  image  that  he  brought  his  gift 
and  did  his  homage,  yet  an  Heavenly  Presence 
deigned  to  receive  it.  For  lo  !  in  that  place 
where  the  statue  was  accustomed  to  stand,  the 
glorious  Virgin  herself  came  at  the  prayer  of  her 
lover  that  yearned  toward  her  with  so  ardent  and 
so  pure  desire,  and  she  bent  her  head  very 
graciously  towards  him  that  he  might  the  better 
place  the  chaplet  of  roses  on  her  brow.  And 
for  this  cause  his  heart  was  filled  with  a  deep  and 
grateful  joy  ;  and  every  day  he  wove  anew  from 
fresh  and  perfect  flowers  his  Lady's  chaplet,  and 
every  day  the  Queen  of  Angels  stooped  towards 
him  that  she  might  receive  her  servant's  crown. 
And  because  Saint  Mary's  love  ever  inciteth  the 
soul  to  humility  and  good  works,  this  brother 
was  most  meetly  subject  to  his  Abbot  and  to 
all  his  superiors,  and  to  the  Rule,  so  that  they 
loved  him. 

But  a  time  came  when  the  summer  was  ended 
and  there  were  no  more  roses  :  then  this  young 
monk  became  exceeding  sad  and  pensive,  and 
fell  at  last  into  a  most  grievous  melancholy,  for 
that  now  the  season  of  flowers  was  done  he  could 
no  longer  make  a  chaplet  for  the  crowning  of  his 
Mistress,  that  is  the  Virgin  Queen.  And  he 
stayed  many  hours  in  sadness,  gazing  upon  her 
image  that  stood  uncrowned  in  his  cell  and 
thinking  within  himself  that  all  the  joy  he  had 
in  loving  her  was  dead,  because  he  could  do 
nothing  for  her  praise.  Sad  indeed  was  the 
10 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

image  without  its  living  garland,  and  no  longer  The  Chaplet 
did  the  Mystic  Rose  bow  toward  him  when  he  of  Roses 
knelt  at  her  feet. 

Now  the  Abbot,  that  loved  this  brother  well  - 
for  his  simplicity  and  devoutness,  was  greatly 
troubled  at  the  sight  of  the  melancholy  into 
which  he  had  come  ;  and  knowing  naught  of  the 
secret  favours  which  Our  Lady  had  once  shown 
to  this  servant  of  hers,  he  could  not  guess  the 
cause  of  his  sadness.  Therefore  calling  the 
young  man  to  him,  he  asked  him  privily  what 
ailed  him,  conjuring  him  by  holy  obedience  to 
tell  the  source  of  his  grief.  And  being  so  com- 
manded, the  brother,  as  is  the  duty  of  every 
religious  toward  his  Father  in  God,  did  tell  all 
the  truth,  every  word  of  it  ;  how  that  he  greatly 
loved  that  image  of  Saint  Mary  that  he  had  in  his 
cell,  and  how  he  was  sad  because  he  could  find 
no  more  roses  to  make  a  chaplet  for  her  head, 
for  he  knew  not  how  else  he  might  please  her. 

Then  said  the  Abbot  to  him  for  his  com- 
fort, "  My  son,  because  now  the  winter  comes 
in  due  season,  and  you  cannot  any  longer  make 
chaplets  of  roses  for  Our  Lady's  honour,  there- 
fore must  you  find  some  other  way  of  service  : 
for  summer  and  winter  alike  have  their  duties, 
and  come  alike  by  the  will  of  God.  And  in  the 
place  of  that  gift  of  roses  that  has  been  the 
emblem  of  your  love,  I  charge  you  that  you 
salute  each  morning  the  image  of  God's  Mother, 
saying  twenty-five  times  the  Ave  Maria.  For 
the  prayers  of  her  faithful  servants  are  as  flowers 
in  that  Lady's  crown." 

ii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Chaplet  The  brother  went  away  greatly  consoled,  and 
of  Roses  did  in  all  things  as  his  Abbot  had  ordained  to 
him,  saluting  Saint  Mary  each  morning  with 
twenty-five  Aves  well  and  devoutly  said.  And 
therefrom  he  had  exceeding  comfort,  for  now 
it  was  permitted  to  him  to  look  again  upon 
the  Lady  whom  he  loved.  And  he  saw  that 
each  time  he  repeated  that  Angelic  Salutation,  a 
fresh  and  perfect  rose  came  into  her  hands 
where  he  gazed  on  her  in  his  cell,  and  from 
these  she  wove  for  herself  a  right  fair  chaplet, 
even  such  an  one  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to 
make  :  so  that  when  his  devotion  was  ended, 
the  crown  of  his  Mistress  was  complete.  Which 
thing  was  so  great  a  consolation  and  delight  to 
him,  that  he  left  his  melancholy  and  entered 
into  a  very  holy  joy  ;  growing  day  by  day  in 
his  devotion  toward  that  glorious  Virgin,  who 
of  her  tenderness  and  mercy  doth  thus  help 
her  lovers  in  their  devoirs. 

Now  this  monk  of  whom  we  speak  had  yet  a 
father  and  a  mother  in  the  world,  whom  he 
loved  with  a  proper  and  a  filial  love ;  and 
desiring  greatly  to  see  them  how  they  did,  he 
sought  and  obtained  the  permission  of  his  Abbot 
so  to  do.  Now  when  he  was  given  leave  that 
he  might  go  on  this  journey,  he  was  so  filled 
with  joy  at  the  thought  of  these  parents,  the 
which  he  had  not  seen  for  many  years,  that  he 
forgat  all  else  ;  even  his  devotion  to  that  Lady 
whose  love  is  above  that  of  any  earthly  friend. 
And  when  the  day  of  his  departure  was  come,  he 
set  out  right  early  in  the  morning,  his  thoughts 
12 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

all  earthwards,  without  having  first  saluted  her  The  Chaplet 
image  that  stood  in  his  cell.     And  it  was  a  very  of  Roses 
cold  day,  white  with  rime,  for  they  were  near  to 
the  season  of  Christ's  birth.     Another  monk  of 
that    abbey  went  with  him,  the  which  was  a 
discreet   and    pious    brother ;    and   they    went 
quickly,  heeding  but  little  the  hardships  of  the 
way. 

But  at  the  hour  of  Prime,  when  they  were 
already  far  upon  the  road,  this  servant  of  Our 
Lady  remembered  how  that  he  had  that  morn- 
ing left  his  Mistress  without  the  crown  of 
worship  she  was  accustomed  to  receive  ;  and 
when  it  came  into  his  mind,  he  was  full  of  grief 
for  it.  <c  For,"  said  he,  "  I  am  but  recreant 
knight  and  false  servant  of  that  Queen  of 
Ladies ;  and  this  day  in  Heaven  her  chaplet  will 
be  lacking  by  my  fault." 

So,  being  in  great  contrition  and  minded  to 
make  such  amend  as  he  might,  he  said  to  his 
brother  that  was  with  him  that  he  should  go  in 
front  a  short  way,  for  he  would  be  solitary 
awhile.  And  when  this  one  had  done  so,  and 
the  young  monk  found  himself  alone,  he  went 
from  the  road  into  the  field  that  was  beside  it, 
and  threw  himself  upon  his  knees  exceeding 
humbly  and  cried  mercy  and  forgiveness  of  the 
Holy  Virgin  because  he  had  been  tempted  of 
earthly  affection,  and  had  forgotten  to  salute 
her  as  he  ought.  And  he  bewailed  his  fault 
with  tears,  crying,  "  Alas  !  most  sweet  Lady, 
thy  servant  whom  thou  didst  love  so  well  has 
most  foully  betrayed  thee  !  "  And  when  he 

13 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

TheChaplet  had   so  done,  he  recited  with  exceeding  great 
of  Roses         devotion   the  twenty-five  Aves  with  which   he 
was  used  to  greet  her  in  his  cell. 

Now  his  companion,  that  had  gone  forward 
on  the  way,  hastening  somewhat  because  it  was 
a  keen  and  bitter  wind,  wondered  that  his 
brother  did  not  rejoin  him.  And  presently, 
because  still  he  did  not  come,  this  one  turned 
back  along  the  road  to  find  the  reason  of  his 
delay.  But  wfien  that  he  had  gone  a  little  while 
he  ceased  his  steps,  being  in  great  astonishment ; 
for  he  saw  that  to  the  place  where  he  had  left 
his  comrade,  that  was  a  country-side  and 
desolate,  a  great  and  splendid  meinie  had  now 
come,  to  wit,  a  very  beautiful  Lady  that  was 
robed  right  loyally,  and  about  her  a  company 
of  angels  and  virgins  crowned  with  jewels.  But 
the  Lady's  head  was  bare. 

And  though  it  was  the  season  of  winter  and 
hard  weather,  though  snow  lay  in  the  field 
wherein  she  stood,  and  no  flowers  there  were 
in  the  thicket  nor  leaves  upon  the  trees,  this 
Lady  was  weaving  a  chaplet  of  most  fair  and 
perfect  roses,  one  by  one  as  they  came  into  her 
hands  :  and  when  she  had  done  it,  she  placed  it 
on  her  head  as  a  crown.  Then  all  the  meinie 
of  the  angels  and  the  virgins  bowed  before  her, 
for  she  was  seen  to  be  crowned  with  the  sove- 
reignty of  love  :  and  they  cried  together,  Ave 
Maria  I 

And  seeing  this  marvel,  that  monk  went 
hastily  to  the  place  where  he  had  left  his  com- 
panion ;  and  there  he  found  him  where  he  knelt 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

in  the  field,  rapt  in  holy  contemplation,  but  the  The  Chaplet 

Lady  he  could  not  see  any  more.     So  he  roused  of  Roses 

him  from  his  ecstasy,  for  now  he  was  full  of 

dread,    knowing   that  he   had  gazed  on  holy 

things  :  and  he  told  him  all  that  which  he  had 

beheld,  namely  that  gracious  miracle  which  is 

done  in  Heaven  when  we  poor  children  pray. 

Then  did  this  one  confess  to  his  friend  the  whole 

of  the  matter  ;  and  of  his  fault  and  penitence, 

and  the  great  mercy  he  had  had,  for  that  Our 

Lady  had  deigned  to  help  him.     And  they  went 

their  way  full  of  rejoicing,  their  hearts  being 

uplifted  by  thanksgiving  and  celestial  love,  and 

singing  sweet  praises  of  that  Virgin  Mother, 

Virgo  clemens  ! 

Mater  Amabilis  ! 

Regina  sacratissimi  Rosarii  ! 


THE  HEAVENLY  VESTURE 


HERE  WE  TELL  OF  A  BISHOP  THAT  SAID 
MASS  IN  HIS  CHURCH  BEFORE  SAINT  MARY 
AND  HER  MEINIE:  TO  WHOM  THE  SAID 
LADY  DID  GIVE  A  NOBLE  VESTMENT 

IN  the  days  when  Pepin  ruled  in  France,  the  The 
blessed  Saint  Bon  was  bishop  of  Clermont  Heavenly 
in  Auvergne  ;  the  same  being  a  just,  a  simple, 
and  an  holy  man.  He  ruled  his  diocese  with 
charity,  he  was  constant  in  all  good  works,  and 
though  he  had  exceeding  great  compassion  on 
the  faults  of  others,  yet  did  his  own  sins  always 
move  him  to  a  most  lively  contrition  :  and 
beyond  all  these  virtues,  that  were  so  proper 
to  his  state,  he  had  a  very  loving  devotion  to 
our  holy  Mother,  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 
And  because  he  was  a  man  of  good  and  simple 
heart,  that  wearied  not  in  love  nor  in  well-doing, 
being  filled  with  that  charity  that  will  not  have 
reward — for  these  things,  the  place  of  his  pil- 
grimage shone  with  a  peculiar  glory  in  the  eyes 
of  the  angels,  being  made  radiant  with  some- 
thing of  that  light  which  is  in  Heaven.  There 
they  moved  as  in  their  home,  standing  there,  no 
less  than  in  the  Empyrean,  before  the  very 
countenance  of  God  :  for  truly  Paradise  is  not  a 

19 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  place,  unless  it  be  that  place  where  love  may  dwell. 

Heavenly  Ye^  because  he  ever  walked  with  eyes  down- 
Festure  castj  c[esirjng  jn  fas  humility  a  greater  perfec- 
tion, Saint  Bon  discerned  not  the  marvels  that 
lay  about  him.  Rather  did  he  bewail  the  sins  and 
shortcomings  that  withheld  him,  as  he  believed, 
from  the  perfect  performance  of  his  heavenly 
devoir,  and  so  from  the  blessedness  of  those 
called  to  be  saints.  And  for  this  cause  he  spent 
long  hours  in  prayer  and  supplication,  in  that 
his  life  did,  as  he  thought,  so  little  honour  to 
that  Queen  of  Queens  whom  he  would  serve. 

Now  it  happened  thus,  that  on  the  vigil  of 
the  feast  of  the  Assumption  of  Our  Lady,  Saint 
Bon  stayed  after  the  singing  of  Vespers  alone 
in  the  choir  of  his  cathedral-church  ;  and  being 
moved  by  deep  contemplation  of  the  mystery  of 
the  Assumption  to  a  very  lively  love,  he  rested 
many  hours  in  prayer,  offering  his  tears,  his 
lauds  and  supplications  at  Our  Lady's  feet.  So 
night  came  upon  him,  and  still  he  stayed,  up- 
lifted by  his  devotion  above  remembrance  of 
time.  Nor  did  he  know  that  in  so  doing  he 
had  trespassed  upon  the  angels'  hour,  for  that 
they  made  his  church  the  sanctuary  of  their 
night-watches  ;  for  where  meekness  and  purity 
offer  the  sacrifice,  there  may  the  angelic  censers 
swing. 

And  he  ceased  not  his  orison  till  the  hour  of 
midnight  was  come.  Then  did  he  raise  his  head 
full  joyously,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying: 
u  Exaltata  est  Sancta  Dei  Genitrix,"  in  honour 
of  the  coming  of  the  feast.  And  when  he  had 
20 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

so  done,  lo  !  he  was  altogether  filled  with  The 
amazement ;  for  of  a  sudden  he  saw  that  a  Heavenly 
light  exceeding  great,  the  which  made  dim  the 
little  lamp  before  the  altar,  was  come  into  the 
church,  and  in  its  shining  many  angels.  Now 
came  there  white  processions  into  the  choir  and 
stood  about  him  as  he  knelt  on  the  stones. 
These  were  those  saints  that  stand  in  Paradise, 
all  the  meinie  of  Our  Lady  and  her  Son.  He 
saw  the  blessed  martyrs,  Saint  Vincent  and  Saint 
Laurence,  vested  as  deacons  for  the  saying  of 
the  Mass  ;  and  George  and  Alban,  the  soldiers 
of  Christ  made  glorious.  He  saw,  too,  those 
holy  and  charitable  bishops  that  had  gone  before 
him ;  the  stars  of  the  Church  of  God,  whose 
light  he  ever  kept  in  mind — Jerome  and 
Gregory,  Ambrose  and  Augustine. 

Then  was  Saint  Bon  filled  with  much  fear  and 
reverence,  saying  :  "  Who  am  I,  most  sinful,  that 
I  should  be  here  ?  "  And  he  fell  down  upon  the 
stones  of  the  pavement,  crying  aloud  in  the 
words  of  the  Patriarch  Jacob  :  "  Quam  terri- 
bilis  est,  locus  iste  !  non  est  hie  aliud  nisi  domus 
Dei,  et  porta  caeli."  That  is  to  say,  How  dread- 
ful is  this  place !  This  is  none  other  but  the 
house  of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate  of  Heaven. 

But  whilst  that  he  lay  there  full  of  awe,  he 
heard  the  comfortable  sound  of  chanting  ex- 
ceeding sweet ;  and  being  rapt  from  his  fears  by 
this  celestial  melody,  very  slowly  and  reverently 
he  raised  up  his  head.  Then  saw  he  that  white 
company  of  virgins  whose  high  devoir  it  is  to 
attend  on  the  Mother  of  God  :  Catherine  of 

21 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  the  Wheels,  Lucy  of  the  Eyes,  with   Agnes, 

Heavenly       Cecilia,  and  also  Dorothy  ;  and  in  the  midst  of 
Vesture          them  was  that  sweet  LadV)  the  Blessed  Virgin 

Mary,  Queen  of  Angels,  and  she  was  crowned 
with  jewels  and  apparelled  right  royally,  yet 
walked  she  with  most  gracious  humbleness.  So 
all  this  train  came  forth  into  the  choir,  and 
placed  themselves  orderly  therein,  and  they  sang 
their  hymn  unto  the  end.  And  they  stood  in  a 
bright  light  circle-wise  about  the  altar,  as  in 
Paradise  they  stand  about  the  Altar  of  the 
Lamb  ;  but  the  light  came  not  to  the  place 
where  Saint  Bon  was  kneeling. 

"  Then  heard  he  the  saints  that  cried  to  Our 
Lady,  asking  her  whom  she  would  have  sing 
the  Mass  of  her  feast.  And  Our  Lady  answered 
them  :  "  I  will  have  that  my  servant  who  kneels 
beyond  the  circle  of  light,  and  thence  doth 
offer  for  me  his  love  and  tears,  asking  naught  in 
return.  For  this  cause  have  I  chosen  him  to 
offer  for  me  the  sacrifice  of  love." 

Then  was  Saint  Bon  greatly  abashed  and  full 
of  fear ;  for,  seeing  his  church  thus  filled  with 
all  the  Host  of  Heaven,  and  having  still  in  his 
ears  the  song  of  angels,  it  seemed  to  him  too 
great  presumption  that  he,  the  meanest  of  God's 
servants,  should  minister  before  these  glorious 
ones.  But  whilst  he  kneeled  in  adoration  came 
two  angels,  and  raised  him  up  and  led  him  to 
the  altar  at  the  Virgin's  bidding  ;  and  there 
they  vested  him  for  the  saying  of  the  Mass. 
And  the  glorious  deacons  Vincent  and  Lau- 
eence  served  him;  and  the  altar  was  censed  by 

22 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

angels,  and  by  angels'  hands  the  sacring-bell  was  The 
rung.  Heavenly 

Now  when  he  stood  thus  before  that  altar,  Vesture 
where  every  day  he  was  used  to  offer  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  for  the  Church  and  for  his  people 
whom  he  loved,  courage  came  anew  to  the 
heart  of  Saint  Bon;  for  at  this  place  he  was 
accustomed  to  stand  always  as  before  God's 
face,  in  humbleness  of  spirit  but  fearing  naught, 
for  that  he  had  an  heavenly  Intercessor.  There- 
fore it  seemed  to  him  no  more  matter  for  dread, 
but  rather  for  thanksgiving,  that  he,  unworthy, 
was  thus  by  divine  mercy  admitted  to  the  Com- 
munion of  the  Saints  ;  for  he  knew  that  no  man 
by  his  own  power  might  attain  to  it.  And,  all 
things  being  set  in  order,  he  sang  the  Mass  of 
Our  Lady  right  clearly  and  well.  And  when 
he  was  come  to  the  words,  "Assumpta  est 
Maria  in  coelum:  gaudent  Angeli,"  all  the 
saints  and  angels  bowed  before  her,  and  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  "  Alleluia  !  " 

And  when  that  it  was  come  to  the  ending  of 
the  Mass,  the  most  holy  Virgin  kneeled  in  the 
midst  of  her  saints,  that  she  might  receive  the 
blessing  of  Bon  her  servant ;  and  afterwards 
she  called  him  to  her  feet,  and  spoke  with  him 
full  sweetly,  and  gave  to  him  a  guerdon  for  the 
devoir  he  had  done,  even  an  alb,  a  very  noble 
vestment  that  she  had  brought  with  her  from 
Paradise.  And  she  warned  Saint  Bon  very 
straitly,  saying  : 

"  See  that  you  let  none  other  put  upon 
himself  this  holy  alb,  the  which  I  give  you  in 

23 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  reward  because  you  loved  me  with  that  love  which 

Heavenly  casteth  out  fear,  and  have  well  and  truly  sung 
the  Mass  of  this  my  feast ;  for  I  can  in  no  wise 
offer  this  Mass  in  Paradise,  where  is  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  made  perfect,  but  only  by  the  hands 
of  my  servants  here  on  earth.  And  this  that 
I  have  given  you  is  of  that  stuff  which  the 
virgins  my  hand-maidens  weave  for  the  vesting 
of  the  saints ;  even  the  vesture  of  a  lowly  spirit, 
which  is  acceptable  to  God.  See,  therefore,  that 
you  keep  it  closely,  for  great  virtue  is  therein. 
And  look  further,  that  none  come  to  this  church 
that  is  my  sanctuary  in  the  night  hours  when 
my  mysteries  are  here  sung  :  for  none  may 
gaze  on  this  matter,  save  him  to  whom  the 
heavenly  vestment  has  been  given." 

Then  did  the  Virgin  Mary  and  all  her  train 
go  back  to  heaven  ;  and  Saint  Bon  went  to 
his  house  much  comforted,  for  now  he  knew 
well  that  his  poor  love  was  pleasing  to  Our 
Lady,  and  that  she  looked  favourably  upon  the 
imperfection  of  his  prayers.  And  he  laid  up 
with  exceeding  care  the  vesture  that  she  had 
given  him,  and  by  it  he  did  much  healing  and 
brought  many  souls  to  God. 

Soon  after  that  Saint  Bon  had  died  and  was 
surely  gone  to  the  joy  of  Heavenly  Syon,  a 
new  bishop  was  made  in  his  place ;  and  he  be- 
lieved not  the  wonders  which  were  told  of  that 
holy  man,  for  he  was  a  prelate  of  worldly  con- 
versation and  doubting  mind.  And  it  vexed 
him  much  that  the  alb  of  Saint  Bon,  the  which 
was  laid  up  in  the  treasury  of  the  cathedral, 
24 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

should  be  held  a  vestment  of  no  earthly  making,  The 
and  that  for  this  he  might  not  wear  it  for  Heavenly 
the  saying  of  the  Mass  ;  for  it  was  exceeding 
fair.  Further,  he  held  that  to  be  but  an 
ignorant  and  idle  fantasy  which  would  have  the 
church  sacred  to  the  angels  in  the  night  hours 
because  of  those  words  which  Saint  Bon  had  had 
from  Our  Lady's  lips.  Therefore,  on  a  certain 
night,  this  bishop  went  alone  into  the  choir  of 
his  cathedral-church ;  and  he  took  from  the 
treasury  the  alb  of  Saint  Bon,  and  there  before 
the  altar  would  vest  himself  therein.  But  before 
the  heavenly  vestment  had  touched  his  shoulders, 
lo  1  his  senses  left  him,  and  he  woke  not  till  the 
dawn,  and  then  he  lay  on  his  bed  in  his  chamber 
that  was  within  the  bishop's  house.  And  the 
alb  of  Saint  Bon  was  found  on  the  high  altar,  and 
a  fair  linen  cloth  was  on  it. 

Then  was  that  bishop  greatly  astonished,  and 
his  heart  was  moved,  and  he  called  his  people 
together  and  told  them  that  which  had  be- 
fallen :  to  the  intent  that  all  might  know  it  was 
unlawful  that  any  should  witness  the  divine 
secrets  which  every  night  were  celebrated  at  that 
altar,  save  only  him  to  whom  Our  Lady,  of  her 
mercy,  hath  given  the  Heavenly  Vesture. 


GAUDE  MARIA 


, 


HOW  WICKED  MEN  TOOK  A  LITTLE  BOY, 
BECAUSE  HE  SANG  THE  RESPOND  OF  OUR 
LADY  VERY  SWEETLY;  AND  HOW  GOD'S 
MOTHER  DID  PRESERVE  HIM 

HOLY  Scripture  doth  declare  to  us  that  it  is  Gaude 
our  duty  to  make  known  the  benevolent  Maria  ! 
works  of  Almighty  God  ;  for  these  are  marvel- 
lous, and  their  telling  maketh  glad  His  children's 
hearts.  As  the  Psalmist  saith,  "  Cantate  ei,  et 
psallite  ei ;  narrate  omnia  mirabilia  ejus."  There- 
fore I  will  tell  here  the  history  of  a  mercy  that 
He  granted  at  the  hand  of  His  Blessed  Mother, 
Queen  of  Heaven,  for  the  solace  of  a  poor 
woman,  a  widow,  the  which  greatly  loved  that 
sweet  Lady. 

This  woman  lived  in  a  city  of  England,  and 
so  poor  she  was,  that  she  was  forced  to  wander 
in  the  street  and  ask  an  alms.  And  she  had 
one  son,  a  very  fair  child ;  he  was  loved  of  all 
for  his  beauty,  for  though  he  lived  but  on 
charity  he  was  exceeding  comely  and  of  good 
stature.  For  the  love  of  God  and  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  this  poor  woman  taught  her  child  what 
scholarship  she  could ;  and  Saint  Mary  of  her 
kindliness  helped  her  in  this  devoir,  for  she 

29 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Gaude  put  into  the   child's   heart  so  great  a  love  of 

Maria  !        learning  that  in  half  a  year  he  knew  more  than 

many  children  that   have  been  four   years    to 

school.     Nor  had  she  ever  occasion  to  chastise 

him,  for  he  forgot  nothing  that  he  was  told. 

Soon  the  little  boy  could  sing,  and  soon  read ; 
and  so  well  did  he  sing,  with  so  sweet  and 
piteous  a  voice,  that  so  soon  as  he  did  begin, 
all  ran  to  hear  him,  both  clerks  and  lay;  for 
they  said,  "  It  is  like  a  little  angel's  song." 
Never  was  heard  such  music  from  a  child. 
And  because  of  the  delight  that  they  had  in  his 
singing,  all  that  heard  him  would  make  him 
gifts;  meat,  bread,  and  also  money;  the  which 
he  gladly  took,  and  carried  straitway  to  his 
mother,  for  he  loved  her  exceeding  well. 

And  he  said,  "  Dear  mother,  while  I  was 
very  little  you  did  nourish  and  clothe  me  from 
the  alms  that  you  gained ;  but  I  cannot  bear 
that  you  should  any  longer  beg  our  bread,  since 
I  am  of  an  age  to  earn  it.  Therefore  if  God 
and  our  sweet  Lady  preserve  to  me  my  voice 
and  keep  me  safe  and  sound  you  shall  no  more 
wander  in  the  streets;  but  every  day  I  shall 
bring  you  enough  of  bread  and  meat  and  all 
those  things  whereof  we  stand  in  need." 

Thus  did  that  little  boy  cherish  his  mother, 
and  would  have  her  rest  by  the  fireside  with 
her  spinning,  whilst  he  went  to  and  fro  in  the 
streets  with  his  songs :  and  all  heard  him  right 
willingly  and  gave  him  what  he  asked,  so  that 
he  and  his  mother  were  well  provided.  And 
amongst  the  many  fair  songs  that  he  knew, 
30 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

that  child  greatly  loved  the  respond  that  Robert  Gaude 
King  of  France  did  make  for  the  feast  of  the  Maria  ! 
Purification  of  Our  Lady;  to  wit,  that  which 
begins,  "  Gaude,  Maria  Virgo,  cunctas  hereses 
sola  interemisti."  For  the  words  of  this  hymn 
are  very  fair  and  piteous,  and  the  melody 
whereto  they  are  sung  exceeding  sweet;  and 
the  little  boy  sang  it  so  well  to  the  glory  of  our 
gracious  Lady,  that  many  wept  to  hear  it.  And 
so  gentle  he  was,  so  full  of  prudence  and 
courtesy,  that  all  loved  him  dearly  and  would 
have  taken  him  to  their  houses,  there  to  feast 
him;  but  when  his  song  was  done,  he  waited 
not  for  any  pleasure,  but  went  home  to  his 
mother  with  that  which  he  had  gained.  And 
that  poor  woman  daily  entreated  God's  Mother 
Saint  Mary,  that  she  would  have  the  child  in 
her  keeping,  lest  evil  should  befall  him  when  he 
went  alone  through  the  town. 

And  one  day,  as  this  little  boy  went  singing 
through  the  streets,  he  came  to  the  Jewry ;  and 
great  company  of  folk  were  assembled  there, 
knights  and  burgesses,  clerks  and  lay,  for  in 
this  place  many  bought  and  sold.  When  these 
people  saw  the  child,  they  cried  to  him  that  he 
should  sing  Our  Lady's  song;  for  these  were 
Catholic  men,  that  rightly  loved  the  Blessed 
Virgin.  Then,  so  soon  as  he  began,  many  other 
ran  to  hear  him  from  the  streets  that  were  near, 
being  much  moved  by  the  sweetness  of  his 
singing,  that  was  indeed  a  pleasant  sound  most 
agreeable  to  God;  and  with  them  came  a 
certain  Jew,  that  heard  how  the  child  did  sing 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

in  the  midst  of  the  Jewry  the  praises  of  the 
Maria  !        Queen  of  Heaven  whom  they  revile. 

Now  at  the  time  of  this  man's  coming,  the 
little  chorister  began  the  second  part  of  his  song, 
that,  namely,  which  saith, 

"  Gabrielem  archangelum  scimus  divinitus  te  esse 

affatum ; 

Uterum  tuum  de  Spiritu  Sancto  credimus  im- 
praegnatum." 

Then  was  the  Jew  much  wrathful ;  and  when 
that  the  last  line  was  sung,  that  is, 

"Erubescat   Judaeus   infelix,   qui  dicit  Christum 
Joseph  semine  esse  natum  !  " 

the  which  puts  all  Jews  to  derision,  he  could  not 
contain  his  hatred ;  for  greatly  did  he  long  to 
kill  this  child  that  thus  poured  contempt  upon 
his  race. 

Nevertheless,  he  dissembled  his  anger  ;  for  he 
knew  that  the  people  loved  the  little  boy,  and 
greatly  would  they  be  enraged  against  any  that 
did  him  hurt.  Therefore  must  he  bide  his  time 
that  he  might  lay  hands  on  him  in  secret,  for 
this  was  his  resolve.  And  he  waited  till  all  the 
folk  were  gone  out  of  the  street,  for  no  witness 
must  he  have,  lest  any,  suspecting  that  he  would 
hurt  their  little  singer,  should  afterward  bring 
him  to  his  death  for  it.  Then,  when  the  child 
was  alone,  this  Jew  went  to  him,  and  spoke  him 
very  fairly  and  invited  him  to  enter  his  house 
there  to  sing. 

"  For  I  see  well,"  he  said,  "  that  you  have 
32 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

been  rightly  taught ;  never  have  I  heard  a  child  Gaude 
sing  so  sweetly.     You  please  all  by  your  music,  Maria  ! 
and  indeed  by  this  Respond  that  you  did  chant 
my  heart  is  altogether  filled  with  pity  and  com- 
passion.    Therefore,  if  you  will  come  into  my 
house  and  there  sing  it  again,  it  shall  be  good 
for  you  and  for  your  mother  also." 

Then  the  child,  simply  and  without  fear,  as  a 
little  angel  might,  went  with  that  Jew  into  his 
house.  But,  alas !  how  greatly  cruel  are  God's 
enemies,  and  them  that  know  not  His  Mother's 
love  !  So  soon  as  the  door  was  shut  the  Jew 
let  bring  a  hatchet,  and  he  dealt  the  little  choris- 
ter, that  was  a  child  exceeding  small,  so  great  a 
blow  that  a  man  would  have  died  of  it.  The 
little  boy  fell  down  upon  the  ground,  and  blood 
came  forth  from  his  fair  and  tender  mouth  that 
sang  so  sweetly.  Then  as  quickly  as  he  could 
the  Jew  made  a  grave  close  against  the  door, 
and  there  he  buried  the  child  and  heaped  earth 
upon  him,  for  now  he  was  afraid  of  that  which 
he  had  done. 

When  the  poor  woman  his  mother  saw  that 
her  little  son  did  not  return  at  the  accustomed 
hour,  she  was  greatly  troubled  at  it ;  and  she 
prayed  Our  Lady  to  watch  over  the  child,  for 
night  was  near.  But  when  many  hours  went 
by,  and  still  he  came  not,  she  feared  that  he  was 
wholly  lost.  Then  so  great  was  her  dolour  that 
her  heart  failed  her,  and  she  ran  forth  into  the 
streets  crying  aloud  and  seeking  him.  Here 
and  there,  up  and  down,  she  sought  and  de- 
manded him  of  all  that  she  met ;  but  none  could 

c  33 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Gaude  give  her  news  of  the  child.  And  at  last,  for 

Maria  !  that  darkness  fell  and  she  could  no  longer  seek 
him,  she  was  constrained  to  go  back  to  her  home 
much  sorrowful,  and  there  did  make  her  com- 
plaint to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  begging  only  for 
death  because  she  had  lost  her  little  boy. 

And  she  said  :  "  Sweet  Lady,  Saint  Mary,  for 
that  the  Scripture  telleth  us  that  you  sought 
your  own  Child  sorrowing  when  He  tarried  in 
Jerusalem  alone,  keep,  I  pray  you,  my  little  son, 
that  is  defenceless  in  the  city  this  night,  for  I 
know  not  where  to  seek  him.  Alas,  most 
piteous  Mother  !  my  heart  is  sore  ;  for  I  feel 
and  know  that  but  dolorous  news  shall  I  get  if 
He  that  can  do  all  things  cometh  not  to  my 
relief.  Therefore  in  Him  and  His  sweet  Mother 
I  put  all  my  trust,  for  very  surely  none  other 
can  assist  me.*' 

So  weeping  and  praying,  that  poor  woman 
passed  the  whole  of  the  night ;  and  when  day 
was  come  she  went  out  into  the  streets  again  to 
seek  her  child,  asking  news  of  all  the  folk  that 
she  met. 

But  they  answered  :  "  We  know  not  where 
he  is,  but  this  we  know,  that  there  is  none  in 
the  city,  neither  clerk  nor  lay,  who  will  not 
greatly  grieve  if  he  is  come  to  any  hurt,  for  we 
all  love  him." 

And  one  there  was  that  said :  "  Good  woman, 
yester  evening  I  saw  your  little  son  in  the  Jewry, 
and  there  he  did  sing  the  Respond  of  Our  Lady 
in  a  voice  most  sweet  and  piteous,  as  he  can;  and 
so  clear  and  loud  he  sang  that  the  Jews  came 
34 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

from  all  parts  to  hear  him.     It  may  well  be  that  Gaude 
they  have  taken  him  to  do  him  some  hurt,  for  Maria ! 
greatly  does  it  displease  them  to  hear  the  sweet 
and  pleasant  praises  of  God's  Mother,  whom 
they  hate.     Therefore,  if  they  have  killed  the 
child,  we  will  discover  it,  that  they  may  die  for 
their  misdeeds." 

Another  cried  :  "  Small  doubt  is  there  that 
the  Jews  misliked  this  little  boy,  for  he  praised 
Our  Lady  so  graciously  that  none  could  resist 
it.  If  it  be  as  you  say,  surely  the  glorious 
Virgin  will  reveal  it  by  her  might,  that  her 
chorister  may  be  avenged." 

Then  was  the  poor  mother  beside  herself  with 
grief,  for  now  she  was  assured  that  the  Jews  had 
taken  her  little  son  to  kill  him.  And  she  cried 
to  Our  Lady  in  her  despair,  and  told  her  openly 
that  if  she  restored  not  the  child,  no  longer 
would  she  trust  in  her  pity  and  power.  Yea, 
she  was  in  such  bitterness  of  spirit  that  I  could 
not  tell  you  half  her  sorrow  ;  for  she  wept  so 
exceeding  sore  that  she  could  take  neither  meat 
nor  drink.  And  all  were  greatly  moved  by  it, 
grieving  most  heartily  because  they  had  lost 
their  little  chorister  whom  they  loved. 

But  the  great  sin  that  had  been  done  could 
not  for  ever  be  hidden,  for  it  was  God's  will 
that  it  should  be  revealed,  to  glorify  His  holy 
Name  and  that  of  His  dear  Mother,  Lady  Mary. 
Therefore  it  happened  after  many  days  that  the 
sorrowing  mother,  that  went  day  and  night 
through  the  streets  wringing  her  hands  and 
calling  on  Our  Lady  for  her  child,  came  by 

35 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Gaude  God's  grace  to  the  Jewry.     And  many  people 

Maria  !  ran  together  hearing  her  cries,  the  which  had 
exceeding  pity  of  her  grief ;  for  now  all  hope 
that  she  might  find  the  child  had  left  them,  and 
they  judged  her  to  be  mad  with  sorrow  because 
she  sought  him  still.  But  this  poor  woman 
stood  and  cried,  "  My  son,  my  little  son,  my 
heart  is  breaking  for  you  !  My  pretty  child,  if 
that  you  are  alive  stay  not  so  long  from  me,  for 
I  need  you  sore.  Sweet  son,  dear  boy !  where 
are  you  ?  Can  you  not  speak  to  your  mother, 
who  is  like  to  die  of  grief  ?  Alas  !  little  one, 
you  will  come  to  me  no  more,  for  my  heart  tells 
me  that  in  this  street  you  were  killed  and  buried 
by  evil  men." 

Then  went  she  to  and  fro,  tearing  her  hair 
and  crying,  "  Hard,  hard  is  the  heart  that 
would  not  break  for  such  a  grief!  Ah,  Mother 
of  the  King  of  Heaven  !  how  long  with  clasped 
hands  have  I  begged  of  you  my  little  boy  i  I 
gave  him  altogether  to  you,  and  taught  him 
right  learning  that  he  might  the  better  serve 
you  and  your  sweet  Son.  But  what  have  you 
done  with  him,  Lady,  and  where  is  he  ?  Tell 
me,  tell  me,  where  he  is  bestowed !  Ah, 
Mother  of  God,  can  it  be  that  children  which 
are  given  into  your  keeping  shall  be  lost  ?  If 
that  you  cannot  give  him  to  me  alive,  then  give 
me  death,  that  I  may  see  him  !  " 

But  Madame  Saint  Mary,  that  is  the  fountain 
of  all  mercy,  had  compassion  on  this  poor 
woman,  and  turned  her  sorrow  into  joy.  For 
while  that  she  and  the  folk  that  were  about  her 

36 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

made  this  complaint,  of  a  sudden  they  heard  a  Gaude 
voice    that    sang  exceeding  sweetly  ;  and   they   Maria ! 
knew  that  it  was  the  voice  of  the  little  chorister, 
for  none  other  sang  so  well.     And  the  words  of 
the  song  were  that  Respond  of  Our  Lady,  the 
which  he  had  so  greatly  loved,  namely  : 

"  Gaude,  Maria  Virgo,  cunctas  hereses  sola  intere- 

misti ; 
Quae  Gabrielis  archangeli  dictis  credidisti." 

Verily,  though  he  lay  in  his  grave  that  was 
within  the  house  of  the  Jew,  yet  so  high  and 
clear  was  his  voice  that  all  might  hear  it. 

And  when  that  poor  mother  heard  her  little 
son,  that  sang  as  if  he  were  yet  alive,  then  was 
she  straitway  lifted  up  with  a  fervour  of  great 
joy,  so  that  she  cried  to  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
saying  : 

"  Sweet  Lady,  sweet  Saint  Mary  !  I  hear  my 
child  !  I  hear  my  child  !  " 

Then  was  great  tumult ;  all  the  people  crying, 
<c  To  the  Jews  1  To  the  Jews,  that  have  taken 
our  little  chorister  to  hurt  him  !  for  well  we 
know  he  lies  within  this  house." 

And  all  went  to  enter  the  said  house,  and  did 
attack  and  beat  the  Jews  that  would  let  them 
from  it  ;  and  breaking  down  the  door  went  into 
every  chamber,  calling  by  name  on  the  child 
that  was  lost ;  for  they  said  :  <c  Of  a  surety 
they  have  hidden  him."  Then  were  those  evil 
men  that  had  killed  and  buried  him  greatly 
afraid,  and  would  have  held  back  the  people, 
but  they  could  not.  Therefore  they  fled  away 

37 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Gaude  whilst  all  were  busied  with  their  quest,  lest  they 

Maria  !  might  be  taken  and  burned  for  their  sins. 

But  when  they  had  searched  chamber  and 
cockloft,  and  still  found  not  the  child,  them  that 
sought  were  exceeding  perplexed  at  it. 

"  By  Holy  Rood  ! "  said  they,  "  this  is 
devilry  indeed,  that  we  find  him  not,  for  here 
we  heard  him  sing,  and  of  a  surety  here  he 
must  be  !  Yet  there  is  no  part  of  this  house 
wherein  we  have  not  sought  him,  therefore  if 
we  see  him  not  it  must  be  that  they  have  buried 
him  in  the  earth." 

Then  did  they  make  search  where  there 
might  be  a  pit  dug  ;  and  at  last,  when  all  were 
weary  and  they  knew  not  where  next  to  look, 
they  found  behind  the  door  earth  heaped,  the 
which  those  Jews  had  done  the  better  to  conceal 
him.  Then  they  cried  :  "  Verily,  here  he  must 
be  ;  for  it  was  from  this  side  that  we  heard  his 


voice.5* 


Then  all  together  they  fetched  spades,  and 
straitway  removing  the  earth  as  quickly  as  they 
might,  there  they  found  the  little  boy  lying 
in  a  trench  all  safe  and  sound  ;  and  he  had  no 
grief,  but  seemed  rather  as  if  God's  Mother 
had  cherished  him  at  her  breast.  And  all  who 
saw  it  marvelled  greatly,  for  the  child's  cheeks 
were  as  red,  his  face  as  fair,  as  a  newly  opened 
flower,  though  he  had  lain  within  this  pit  for 
many  days.  And  they  lifted  him  out  and  carried 
him  to  his  mother. 

When  that  poor  woman  had  her  little  son 
again,  how  close  and  dear  did  she  hold  him, 

38 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

kissing  a  hundred  times  his  forehead  and  his  Gaude 
face  !  So  great  a  joy  filled  her  heart  that  no  Maria ! 
word  could  she  speak,  for  it  seemed  to  her  that 
greater  wealth  she  had  than  any  lady  in  the 
land.  But  the  townsfolk,  that  were  exceeding 
glad  for  that  their  little  chorister  was  come 
again,  came  about  the  child,  and  asked  him  that 
he  should  tell  them  by  God's  grace  what  had 
happened  and  where  he  had  been.  Also,  they 
desired  to  know  how  his  head  had  been  so 
greatly  hurt ;  for  now  they  could  see  the  wound 
that  he  had  of  the  hatchet  of  the  Jew,  the  which 
was  like  to  have  cut  his  head  in  twain,  though 
so  well  had  the  glorious  Virgin  healed  it  that 
no  herb  nor  unguent  did  it  need. 

Then  said  the  child,  that  knew  not  how  long 
he  had  been  lost  :  "  Yesternight,  when  all  the 
company  was  gone  from  this  street,  a  Jew  that 
loved  me  not  did  beg  me  to  go  to  his  house, 
swearing  that  he  would  do  great  things  for  my 
mother  if  I  would  sing  for  him  there  ;  for  he 
would  hear  Our  Lady's  Respond.  But  when  I 
was  come  into  the  house,  he  did  wound  me 
with  a  hatchet  he  had,  and  I  know  not  what  he 
did  with  me  then,  for  with  that  blow  I  fell  fast 
asleep.  And  so  soundly  I  slept  that  I  think  I 
should  have  been  sleeping  still,  nor  would  have 
woke  for  anything  that  might  be,  but  a  little 
while  since  a  very  fair  Lady  came  to  me,  and  I 
know  that  she  is  the  Mother  of  Jesu  Christ. 
And  this  Lady  did  wake  me,  and  said  that  I 
slept  too  long  and  was  but  slothful ;  for  it  was 
time  that  I  should  sing  her  Respond,  as  was  my 

39 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Gaude  duty  every  day  to  do.     Then  she  went  away, 

Maria  !        and  I  began  to  sing  as  she  bade  me,  as  well  as  I 
could  do  it  in  the  place  that  I  was  in." 

Then  cried  all  the  clerks  and  priests,  "  Give 
thanks  !  give  thanks  !  for  a  great  miracle  has 
been  done  ;  for  the  Blessed  Virgin  hath  come 
from  Paradise  to  save  her  little  chorister  from 
the  hands  of  the  Jews." 

And  had  I  ten  or  twenty  tongues,  I  could  not 
tell  half  the  joy  there  was  ;  how  that  many  great 
bells  were  rung,  and  processions  made,  that  the 
Mother  of  God  might  be  glorified  and  extolled 
for  this  her  most  piteous  grace.  And  the  towns- 
folk did  take  many  Jews  because  of  it,  and  some 
were  burned  and  some  baptized. 

Then,  when  all  was  done,  that  poor  woman 
took  her  little  child  to  her  home,  and  there  she 
cherished  him  greatly  and  bred  him  in  Saint 
Mary's  love.  Little  do  I  know  of  fate  they  had, 
or  what  did  do,  for  indeed  there  is  no  more  in  my 
book  ;  but  very  surely  he  grew  in  all  virtue  and 
worthiness,  and  stayed  ever  faithful  servant  of 
that  Lady,  who  had  brought  him  out  of  the 
power  of  the  wicked  that  he  might  come  again 
to  his  mother's  arms. 


40 


BREAD  OF  ANGELS 


HERE  WE  TELL  HOW  A  CERTAIN  NOVICE 
WAS  AN  HUNGERED,  AND  OUR  LADY  GAVE 
HIM  MEAT 

IT  is  told  how  a  certain  young  man  came  to  Bread  of 
the  house  of  Qteaux,  that  he  might  be  Angels 
made  a  novice  of  this  brotherhood  :  for  he 
ardently  desired  to  take  the  habit  of  religion, 
having  his  heart  filled  with  exceeding  great  love 
for  Our  Lord  and  Our  Lady,  so  that  he  longed 
to  serve  them.  But  because  he  had  been  gently 
bred,  and  had  lived  always  sumptuously  at  the 
house  of  his  father,  that  was  a  noble  seigneur 
keeping  much  estate,  this  novice  could  little 
endure  the  hardships  of  the  Rule.  And  espe- 
cially the  meat  wherewith  he  was  served  in  the 
convent  did  seem  to  him  most  harsh  and  savour- 
less, so  that  scarcely  could  he  bear  to  eat  of  it, 
and  he  was  like  to  die  of  hunger.  And  of 
this  he  had  great  grief,  for  he  knew  not  whether 
he  should  be  able  to  end  the  noviciate  he  had 
begun,  because  of  the  weakness  of  his  flesh. 

Therefore,  being  advised  by  his  Superior,  he 
strove  to  conquer  this  frailty  ;  praying  to  Our 
Lady  Saint  Mary  with  exceeding  great  fervour, 
that  she  would  help  him,  and  turn  his  heart 

43 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Bread  of  to  a  love  of  holy  poverty,  and  make  sweet  to 
Angels  him  the  hard  and  sour  bread  wherewith  he  was 

nourished.  Yet  still  his  stomach  turned  from 
it,  whereby  he  endured  great  pains  both  of  body 
and  soul  :  for  he  saw  that  they  that  were  of 
the  brotherhood  received  this  food  gladly  and 
ate  of  it  with  contentment,  the  which  he  could 
no  wise  do. 

Now  it  happened  one  night  that  he  had 
greatly  prayed  for  strength  that  he  might  endure 
the  discipline  of  the  flesh,  and  had  bewailed 
his  state  most  bitterly  before  God  with  tears 
and  supplications  :  and  when  he  had  so  done,  he 
lay  down  in  his  cell  to  sleep.  And  he  was 
exceeding  hungry,  having  still  in  his  hand  the 
piece  of  dry  bread  wherewith  he  had  been  served 
for  supper  ;  but  he  could  not  bear  to  eat  of  it, 
for  it  was  very  hard  and  sour.  And  as  he  so 
slept,  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary,  who  looks  most 
tenderly  on  all  that  would  serve  her  Son  in  the 
religious  life,  and  seeks  ever  to  help  them  in  the 
inward  battle  they  must  wage,  had  compassion  on 
him  because  he  was  so  young  and  full  of  grief. 
And  since  she  knew  well  what  ailed  him,  she 
came  to  him  there  where  he  lay  on  his  bed,  and 
took  him  by  the  hand,  saying  : 

"  Come,  little  son,  rise  up  and  follow  me,  and 
I  will  give  you  that  food  of  which  you  stand  in 
need.  Now  shall  you  eat  to  your  satisfaction, 
for  I  am  come  not  to  give  you  the  dry  bread  of 
bitterness,  but  rather  to  call  you  to  that  Banquet 
which  my  Son  hath  spread  for  His  friends." 

When  the  young  novice  saw  the  Queen  of 
44 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Heaven,  that  stood  by  his  bedside  as  his  mother  Bread  of 

might  do,  and  heard   her  gracious  words,  he  Angels 

rose  up,  being  wholly  filled  with  love  divine, 

and  remembering  nothing  of  the  hunger  that  he 

had.     And  he  thought  within  himself  that  she 

had  come  to  lead  him  to  some  great  feast ;  and 

he  had  great  joy  of  it.     Then  she  took  him  by 

the  hand,  and  led  him  from  his  cell  and  forth 

into  the  cloister,  and  he  saw  that  she  would  go 

toward  the  monastery  church,  for  the  which  cause 

he  had  great  amazement.     And  it  was  very  dark, 

but  in  the  light  of  her  steps  he  walked  securely. 

So,   when  they  were  come  to  the   church,  he 

looked   to   see   where   the    banquet   might   be 

spread.     But  no  sign  was  there  of  any  festivity, 

neither  did  Our  Lady  stay  to  look  for  it ;  but  she 

brought  him  strait  way  to  the  place  where  the  great 

Crucifix  was  hung,  whereon  Our  Lord  and  Saviour 

Jesu  Christ  displays  His  Sacred  Wounds. 

Then,  "Look!"  said  she.  "Here  is  your 
feast  made  ready,  for  this  is  my  Son,  your  Lord 
and  God,  Who  died  to  make  all  things  sweet  to 
you.  Therefore  should  you  rejoice,  sith  now 
there  is  in  all  the  world  no  bread  so  harsh  but 
that  His  pains  can  savour  it.  But  because  you 
know  not  the  taste  of  that  meat  which  He  pre- 
pares for  His  lovers,  you  go  hungry  ;  yet  hath 
He  said,  *  Accipite  et  comedite.'  Take  therefore 
this  crust  of  bread,  the  which  you  despise  so 
greatly,  and  draw  near  dreading  nothing,  for 
verily  He  gave  Himself  that  you  might  be  fed. 
Now  shall  you  dip  this  your  meat  into  His 
wounded  side,  the  which  was  pierced  for  you  ; 

45 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Bread  of       and  thereby  you  shall  know  whence  comes  the 
Angels  savour  of  that  food  wherewith  poverty  is  nour- 

ished for  His  sake." 

Then,  when  she  had  so  spoken,  that  merciful 
Lady  did  lead  the  novice  to  the  foot  of  the  Tree 
of  the  Cross,  and  to  her  Son  that  hung  thereon. 
And  being  so  taught  by  her,  he,  that  was  now 
full  of  fear,  for  he  knew  that  a  great  mystery 
was  herein  shown  him,  did  let  reach  out  his 
hand  with  exceeding  awe  and  reverence,  and 
dipped  the  crust  that  he  carried  deep  into  the 
wound  that  was  in  his  Redeemer's  side.  And 
when  he  had  so  done,  the  glorious  Virgin  saith 
to  him  : 

"  Ecce  Panis  Angelorum  !  " 
And  lo  !  when  he  did  eat  of  this  food,  that 
had  been  dipped  in  the  holy  blood  of  Jesu  Christ, 
an  exceeding  great  peace  entered  into  that 
novice's  heart,  and  his  hunger  was  altogether 
stilled  ;  and  he  was  refreshed  both  in  body 
and  soul.  For  it  seemed  to  him  that  this  crust 
was  a  Bread  of  more  than  earthly  savour,  the 
sweetest  he  had  ever  taken  unto  his  mouth  :  so 
sweet  was  it  that  he  desired  it  greatly,  nor  would 
he  have  had  any  other  if  he  might.  And  kneel- 
ing down  before  that  Cross  whence  came  his 
comfort,  he  did  give  thanks  to  God  and  to  His 
compassionate  Mother,  with  great  fervour  and 
holy  dread  ;  being  uplifted  toward  his  Saviour 
with  thanksgiving  and  burning  love.  And  he 
said,  as  the  Patriarch  Job  did  do,  "  Quae  prius 
nolebat  tangere  anima  mea,  nunc,  prae  angusta, 
cibi  mei  sunt "  :  for  now  it  was  revealed  and 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

made  known  to  him  by  that  holy  food  where-  Bread  of 
with  his  hunger  had  been  stilled,  how  that 
Jesu  Christ  did  die  in  great  grief  upon  the 
Tree  that  thereby  He  might  bring  to  us  poor 
sinners  that  Bread  which  the  Blessed  Angels 
do  desire. f  Yea  !  to  them  that  have  recourse  to 
Him  He  giveth  ever  His  very  substance  for 
their  nourishment :  the  which  maketh  sweet  the 
harsh  bread  of  tribulation,  and  the  bitter  chalice 
of  His  children's  tears. 


47 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  THE 
COSTREL 


OF  A  GREAT  LORD  THAT  MIGHT  NOT  AC- 
COMPLISH THE  PENANCE  HE  HAD;  AND 
HOW  SAINT  MARY  HELPED  HIM 

IN  Egypt  there  was  a  rich  and  powerful  The  Knight 
knight,  the  which  lived  in  great  luxury,  of  the 
lavishly  expending  his  wealth  and  keeping  high 
estate ;  and  he  had  many  friends  and  retainers, 
for  he  generously  entreated  them  that  served 
him.  But  because  of  the  ease  and  splendour 
that  he  lived  in,  this  seigneur  forgat  God  and 
his  duty,  and  went  never  to  Mass,  nor  yet  to 
confession ;  for  he  was  proud  of  heart,  and  held 
them  to  be  but  fools  that  told  their  evil  actions 
to  their  curate  or  any  other  priest.  Long  did 
he  live  in  this  foolish  error,  and  because  he  had 
a  dread  of  the  penance  that  should  now  be  put 
on  him  should  he  turn  from  it,  and  of  the 
mocking  of  his  friends,  that  were  of  a  worldly 
conversation,  he  neither  made  confession  nor 
left  his  fault. 

But  one  friend  he  had  that  was  of  a  right 
disposition  and  grieved  greatly  for  the  hatred 
that  this  knight  his  comrade  had  of  the  sacra- 
ment of  penance;  and  he  was  exceeding  desirous 
to  turn  him  from  these  courses  if  he  could. 

51 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Knight  Therefore   on    a   certain    Good    Friday,    this 
of  the  gentleman,  meeting  him  in  the  way,  said  to  the 

Costrel          knight,  for  that  he  knew  him  doer  of  many 
evil  deeds  and  unconfessed : 

"  Messire,  I  marvel  much  that  you  can  bear 
to  look  upon  your  ill  doing,  which  is  greatly 
displeasing  to  God  and  Our  Lady,  and  to  the 
world.  For  in  that  you  confess  yourself  never, 
your  sins  go  alway  ^ith  you,  the  which  are  a 
heavy  burden  for  any  man  to  bear  alone.  And 
behold  !  Easter  Day  comes,  when  every  Catholic 
man  should  put  himself  in  a  state  of  grace  that 
he  may  have  God's  mercy.  For  on  this  Friday, 
God  did  suffer  shame  and  pain  upon  the  Tree 
of  the  Cross,  to  save  His  people  and  rebuke  the 
Enemy  in  Hell;  in  that  before  His  Crucifixion 
all  went  to  damnation.  J  And  He  won  for  us 
so  great  freedom  that  none  can  now  be  damned 
that  makes  confession  and  repents.  Therefore 
we  should  every  one  seek  our  soul's  health  in 
this  sacrament,  both  for  sign  of  our  thankful- 
ness that  this  day  He  did  the  penance  of  the 
world,  and  for  that  our  reason  bids  us  so  to  do. 
Verily,  he  is  but  foolish  that  neglects  it.  And 
I  entreat  you,  brother,  that  you  also  will  be 
shriven  ;  for  you  stand  in  exceeding  need  of  it. 
Let  us  go  talk  with  that  hermit  who  lives  in 
the  mountain ;  he  is  a  good  and  discreet  man  of 
right  holy  life.  Of  a  surety  he  will  give  you 
no  ill  counsel,  but  will  tell  you  all  that  is  meet 
and  right  to  do." 

Now  the  knight,  that  had  so  stubborn  a 
mind,  was  moved  by  these  words  to  some 

52 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

apprehension  of  the  error  he  was  in;  and  he  The  Knight 
bethought  himself  that  if  the  thing  indeed  were  of  the 
thus,  then  was  he  in  evil  case.     Therefore  he 
made  soft  answer,  saying  : 

"  I  will  go  right  quickly,  for  indeed  I  see 
that  I  have  held  myself  toward  my  Redeemer 
but  unknightly,  and  have  repaid  His  bounty  by 
discourtesy.  And  now  I  feel  the  load  of  my 
sins  heavy  upon  me,  thetwhich  I  will  confess 
full  speedily,  for  I  know  that  I  shall  have  great 
ease  of  it." 

Then  without  delay  he  set  forth  to  the 
mountain,  and  with  pains  he  mounted  to  the 
harsh  rocks  whereon  the  hermit  dwelt,  who 
there  implored  God  night  and  day  for  all 
sinners.  And  that  hermit  was  exceeding  glad 
of  his  coming,  and  made  good  cheer  for  him. 
"  For,"  said  he,  "  Gaudium  erit  in  caelo  super 
uno  peccatore  poenitentiam  agente,  quam  super 
nonaginta  novem  justis,  qui  non  indigent 
poenitentia."  That  is  to  say,  Joy  shall  be  in 
heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  more 
than  over  ninety  and  nine  just  persons  which 
need  no  repentance. 

Then  did  the  knight  speak  to  him  a  long 
while  of  his  sins,  for  indeed  there  was  much  to 
be  told ;  and  the  hermit,  who  was  expert  in  the 
cleansing  of  souls,  knew  well  how  to  search  and 
question  him,  so  that  presently  he  was  ac- 
quainted with  the  whole  of  the  matter. 

And  when  all  was  told  and  confessed,  he  said 
to  the  knight  very  gladly,  "  Fair  brother, 
rejoice,  for  that  you  shall  be  cleansed  of  your 

53 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Knight  sin;  and  know  that  soon  the  love  of  God  and 

of  the  of  well  doing  shall  be  engrafted  in  you,  by  the 

Costrel          grace  of  the  holy  penance  you  will  have  to  bear." 

Now  these  words  troubled  the  knight  greatly, 

for    he  was  of  those  that  would    have    God's 

mercies   living    softly    the    while,    and    giving 

nought  for  that  which  he  had  got.     Therefore 

did  he  say  to  the  hermit : 

<c  Alas,  my  father,  in  the  matter  of  this 
penance  I  know  not  how  it  may  be.  I  can  in 
no  wise  bear  a  great  one,  nor  set  myself  to 
fasting;  for  I  am  none  of  those  lusty  fellows 
that  may  with  ease  of  body  mortify  the  flesh, 
since  I  was  bred  softly,  and  love  only  to  eat 
delicates.  All  know  it  is  my  custom  so  to  do. 
Therefore,  because  I  live  in  the  world,  where 
all  observe  me,  I  must  have  a  penance  I  can 
do  at  my  ease  ;  for  great  austerities  will  but 
cast  me  down  quickly  and  throw  me  back  into 


sin." 


"  Messire,"  answered  the  hermit,  "  Do  not 
fear.  You  shall  have  so  light  an  one,  that 
none  could  refuse  it,  were  he  never  so  im- 
potent or  so  old." 

Said  the  knight,  "Pardieu !  I  ask  no  better  I" 
Then  that  hermit  admonished  him  and  said, 
<c  Mark  well  that  which  I  shall  ordain  to  you, 
for  herein  shall  be  proof  of  your  contrition. 
You  shall  take  this  costrel  which  here  you  see, 
and  shall  go  down  to  the  stream  that  is  below, 
and  there  you  must  fill  it  with  water  to  the 
brim ;  and  when  that  you  have  so  done  and 
brought  it  me  again,  you  shall  be  quit  of  all 

54 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

your    sins.     But    take  heed  that    you    sin    not  The  Knight 
again."  of  the 

"So  will  I  do,"  said  the  knight,  exceeding  Costrel 
joyous  for  the  indulgence  he  had  had,  for  indeed 
this  penance  was  a  little  matter.  And  he  took 
the  costrel,  that  was  a  vessel  made  in  the  fashion 
of  a  little  flask,  and  ran  quickly  to  the  stream, 
and  seated  himself  upon  the  bank.  Then 
dipped  he  the  said  flask  into  the  stream  to 
fill  it ;  but  the  water,  that  was  flowing  swiftly, 
turned  aside  when  it  came  near  and  went 
on  either  hand,  and  it  stayed  empty.  And 
he  did  all  that  he  could  for  the  filling  of  his 
costrel,  dipping  it  more  deeply  in  the  pools 
under  the  banks,  but  at  the  end  of  his  travail 
it  was  empty  still,  at  the  which  he  marvelled 
greatly. 

And  so  striving  and  accomplishing  nothing, 
he  began  to  wonder  what  it  might  be  that  letted 
him;  for  neither  in  the  flowing  of  the  water  nor 
in  the  fashion  of  the  flask  could  he  see  any 
hindrance,  and  yet  something  that  was  past 
his  wit  fought  against  him.  And  first  he  was 
exceeding  wrathful,  conceiving  that  there  was 
witchcraft  therein,  but  presently  it  came  to  his 
mind  that  it  was  but  the  vileness  of  his  own 
soul  that  tormented  him  thus,  whereby  the  water, 
that  was  pure,  fled  from  before  him,  making  it 
to  be  impossible  that  his  penance  should  be  done. 
Then  was  he  greatly  alarmed,  having  knowledge 
of  his  evil  state,  and  he  swore  and  promised  that 
he  would  not  return  to  that  hermit  till  his  flask 
was  filled  and  his  penance  accomplished  :  for  he 

55 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Knight  knew  that  absolution  he  must  have,  though  he 

of  the  went  oversea  to  gain  it. 

Costrei  But  wnen  ne  had  made  this  vow,  seeing  his 

costrel  yet  empty,  he  repented  incontinent  of 
that  which  he  had  said,  for  it  seemed  to  him 
that  perhaps  for  this  promise  he  must  indeed  set 
himself  to  long  pilgrimage,  the  which  was  little 
to  his  mind.  And  he  thought  : 

"  Shall  I  do  so  great  a  folly  as  to  leave  my 
wife  and  honour  and  the  great  station  in  which 
1  am,  because  this  mad  hermit  hath  set  me  a 
penance  that  I  may  not  do  ?  Verily  I  was  but 
a  fool  to  come  to  this  confession,  for  only  this 
morning  I  lived  in  ease,  doubting  nothing.  It 
is  meet  that  ill  should  come  of  such  traffic.  But 
now  I  will  give  back  this  costrel,  and  will  go 
home  ;  nor  will  I  seek  to  get  me  shriven  by 
this  madman  that  hath  vexed  me  thus." 

Then  he  thought  again,  for  indeed  he  was  in 
great  trouble  and  perplexity,  "  Yet,  if  I  do  this, 
what  shall  I  say  to  him  ?  Return  ?  Folly  !  I 
cannot  thus  forsake  that  which  I  undertook,  for 
he  is  no  true  knight  that  denies  his  promise, 
whatsoever  it  may  be.  I  have  sworn  to  do  this 
thing,  and  I  will  hold  to  it  :  therefore  I  go  my 
way  and  return  not  until  this  flask  be  filled  with 
water  to  the  brim." 

Then  did  he  depart  from  that  place,  but  he 
went  heavily,  doubting  whether  he  might  accom- 
plish this  quest;  for  now  he  knew  that  God  loved 
him  not,  because  there  was  no  good  thing  in 
him.  And  leaving  his  wife  and  his  estate,  this 
seigneur  went  a  solitary  penitent  through  the 
56 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

world,  and  whenever  he  came  to  a  spring,  or  to  The  Knight 
any  running  water,  there  did  he  stay  his  steps  of  the 
and  dipped  his  costrel  therein.  But  in  no  wise  Cost™l 
could  he  fill  it ;  and  his  heart  was  often  wrathful 
because  of  this  burden  that  had  been  set  on  him, 
for  no  peace  could  he  get,  neither  of  body  nor 
soul.  Thus  did  he  go  many  months,  by  dust 
and  heat,  by  rain  and  wind,  by  snow  and  frost, 
ever  on  foot  and  companionless.  And  it  came 
that  he  wandered  for  two  years  and  more,  search- 
ing for  the  means  by  which  his  penance  might 
be  done  ;  and  now  he  was  become  poor,  thin, 
and  ragged,  suffering  cold  and  weariness,  but 
still  his  vow  was  unfulfilled.  And  a  great  desire 
drove  him,  namely,  that  he  might  have  peace 
with  God ;  but  no  help  would  he  ask,  for  by  his 
own  strength  he  was  resolved  to  get  it. 

But  it  happened  one  winter's  day  that  he 
wandered  in  a  great  and  thick  forest,  and  he  was 
very  weary  and  full  melancholy,  for  he  went 
ill-shod,  and  had  but  rags  to  keep  his  body  from 
the  cold.  Therefore  he  began  to  bewail  himself 
because  of  the  exceeding  great  misery  that  he 
endured,  and, 

"  Alas  !  "  he  said,  "  how  foolishly  have  I  lived, 
that  have  brought  myself  to  this  wretchedness, 
wherein  I  am  robbed  of  all  ease,  and  am  like  to 
die  without  honour  upon  the  road  !  Was  ever 
such  unhappy  knight  ?  And  yet,  if  at  last  I  can 
accomplish  this  quest,  I  shall  have  no  ill,  but 
rather  great  blessedness,  for  then  I  shall  be  ac- 
ceptable to  God.  Let  me  wander  therefore  in 
patience,  for  by  my  own  ill-doing  am  I  thus 

57 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Knight  exiled  from  all  joy,  and  verily  he  turns  from 
of  the  good  to  evil  that  turns  from  the  fulfilment  of  a 

Costrel          vow  he  fas  made)  for  this  were  a  disloyal  act." 

And  his  heart  being  softened,  he  cried  also  to 
Our  Lady,  saying,  "  Alas !  dear  Lady,  sweet 
Saint  Mary,  how  greatly  discourteous  have  I  been 
to  your  Son,  that  He  turns  from  me  thus !  Yet 
I  know  that  I  lead  not  this  wretched  life  for 
nought,  for  some  day  my  penance  shall  be  done, 
and  then  by  your  grace  I  shall  have  great  geur- 
don  from  God,  Who  lifts  up  sinners  and  com- 
forts them  when  it  pleases  Him.  Most  glorious 
Virgin,  will  you  not  pray  for  me  ?  for  indeed  I 
stand  in  great  need  of  your  compassion,  and  I 
know  that  you  do  most  powerfully  plead  for 
sinners  before  God.  And  by  my  own  grace  I 
may  never  come  from  my  sufferings,  for  well 
have  I  deserved  them  :  and  this  no  man  knoweth 
better  than  I." 

When  Madame  Saint  Mary,  that  is  full 
pitiful  and  kindly,  heard  this  poor  knight  thus 
entreat  her,  and  saw  that  he  wandered  solitary 
through  the  world  because  he  had  not  the 
companionship  of  God,  her  heart  was  grieved 
for  him  :  for  she  knew  him  to  be  a  right  loyal 
gentleman,  that  would  never  forsake  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  quest.  Therefore  she  came  to 
him,  where  he  walked  in  that  dark  forest :  and 
she  gave  him  counsel  that  he  should  return  to 
the  holy  hermit  with  the  costrel  he  might  not  fill 
and  confess  his  failure  with  humility,  asking  his 
help  for  that  he  grew  old  and  weary  in  this 
pilgrimage. 

58 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

When  that  knight  heard  the  words  that  the  The  Knight 
glorious  Virgin  put  into  his  heart,  he  was  ex-  of  the 
ceeding  glad;    and   he  turned  back  upon  the  Costrel 
road  and  went  into  his  own  country  as  quickly 
as  he  could,  and  to  the  cell  of  the  hermit  that 
lived  yet  amongst  the  rocks.     And  the  hermit 
made  for  him  right  joyous  welcome,  as  he  did 
for  all  travellers  that  had  need  of  it,  though  he 
knew  him  not  for  whom  he  was,  because  of  his 
thinness  and  his  sorry  clothes.     Verily,  all  the 
signs  of  his  estate  had  long  gone  from  him,  and 
he  seemed  as  some  poor  pilgrim  that  is  glad  to 
ask  an  alms. 

But  when  that  he  made  himself  known,  show- 
ing to  the  hermit  his  costrel  into  which  no  drop 
of  water  had  yet  come,  then  that  good  and  holy 
man  did  recognise  him  indeed,  and  he  gave 
thanks  to  Jesu  Christ  and  to  His  glorious 
Mother  with  tears  and  clasped  hands,  because 
this  penitent  had  returned  in  safety.  Then 
made  he  the  knight  to  sit  down  near  him,  and 
heard  most  gladly  the  life  he  had  lived  and 
how  that  he  had  been  brought  to  discipline  his 
flesh  on  this  quest.  And  that  knight  told  him 
all  he  had  suffered,  confessing  very  meekly  that 
his  penance  was  yet  undone,  for  that  no  water 
would  come  into  the  costrel. 

Then  said  the  hermit  to  him,  "  Messire,  know 
that  by  these  griefs  you  have  had  you  have 
gained  great  merit  and  great  price.  For  you 
are  quit  for  all  your  sins,  in  that  you  have  borne 
this  heavy  penance  of  weariness  and  poverty, 
leaving  your  estate  and  honours  for  the  getting 

59 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Knight  of  your  salvation,  the  which  God  shall  give  you 
of  the  Dy  j:[-s  grace<    And  know  that  if  hereafter  you 

keep  yourself  at  this  point  of  virtue,  you  shall 
receive  the  crown  of  Paradise.  Therefore  may 
you  now  leave  this  costrel  that  you  have  carried 
with  you,  for  I  will  give  you  another  penance, 
the  which  shall  be  the  ending  of  your  grief." 

But  the  knight,  that  had  now  a  most  ardent 
and  an  humble  heart,  and  was  altogether  dedi- 
cate to  God  and  to  Our  Lady,  said  to  him : 

"  Nay,  good  father,  this  cannot  be  ;  for  I  will 
have  no  other  penance  while  I  live  till  this  that 
was  put  on  me  for  my  sinfulness  be  done.  Of 
a  surety  I  may  not  leave  a  quest  that  is  not 
ended  ;  and  I  know  that  God  will  by  His  grace 
enable  me  to  do  it  when  my  penitence  is  pleasing 
in  His  sight.  Therefore  when  I  have  rested  me 
and  heard  that  which  you  would  say  for  my  ad- 
monishment, I  will  commend  me  to  Saint  Mary's 
guidance  and  go  again  into  the  world." 

Then  the  hermit,  exceeding  joyful,  praised 
God  most  heartily  ;  and  he  spoke  many  com- 
fortable words  to  the  knight  for  his  encourage- 
ment. And  so  did  he  do  till  at  last  the  hour 
came  when  the  penitent  must  depart  from  that 
cell  and  set  himself  upon  the  road  again.  So 
they  made  their  farewells  ;  and  now  the  hermit 
wept  greatly,  being  full  of  pity,  and  the  knight 
wept  also,  for  his  heart  was  moved  by  Our 
Lady's  grace  so  that  he  knew  his  evil  state  and 
had  great  grief  of  it.  And  he  had  still  slung 
about  him  that  costrel  which  he  carried  for  his 
penance  through  the  world. 
60 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

And  it  happened,  by  the  sovereign  mercy  of  The  Knight 
Madame  Saint  Mary,  and  of  her  Son  Jesu  of  the 
Christ,  that  one  of  his  tears  which  he  shed  fell 
by  chance  within  that  costrel.  Then  God,  Who 
hated  him  not — no,  nor  hateth  any  contrite 
sinner — did  do  for  him  great  marvel  :  for  that 
tear  of  penitence  which  he  had  shed  so  great  did 
grow  that  it  filled  all  the  said  costrel  to  the 
brim,  and  so  his  penance  was  accomplished 
before  ever  he  set  foot  upon  the  road.  When 
that  knight  saw  this  fair  miracle  greatly  was  he 
amazed,  and  he  fell  down  upon  the  ground 
rendering  thanks  and  praise  to  God  and  His 
Mother;  and  so  also  did  that  holy  hermit,  as 
indeed  religion  did  enjoin.  And  the  hermit 
took  from  him  his  costrel  that  now  was  full, 
and  absolved  him,  saying : 

"  Go  you  back  now  to  the  world,  and  to 
your  estate  and  to  your  wife;  for  by  Our 
Lady's  intercession  you  are  made  clean  and 
shriven.  And  set  you  ever  to  well-doing  in 
remembrance  of  the  grace  that  Our  Lord  her 
Son  hath  here  shown  to  you :  for  unto  the  tear 
of  your  penitence  He  hath  added  the  ocean  of 
His  Love." 


61 


THE  WINDOW  OF 
PARADISE 


HERE  WE  TELL  HOW  A  CERTAIN  SACRISTAN 
HAD  GREAT  COMFORT  OF  OUR  LADY,  BE- 
CAUSE OF  THESE  WORDS  :  COELI  FENESTRA 
FACTA  ES 

VERILY,  it  is  a  great  matter  to  have  Our  The 
Lady's  friendship,  and  little  need  they  Window  of 
fear  that  possess  this  sovereign  grace ;  for  neither 
man,  nor  the  Enemy  in  Hell,  nor  the  very  Saints 
that  are  in  Paradise  can  hurt  them,  so  great  a 
power  and  subtlety  hath  the  glorious  Virgin  in 
her  children's  help  and  defence.  And  that  ye 
may  know  somewhat  of  the  manner  in  which 
she  guards  us,  I  will  here  set  in  writing  the 
adventure  of  a  certain  poor  Christian  that  was 
sacristan  in  the  church  of  the  Blessed  Apostle 
Saint  Peter  that  is  in  the  city  of  Rome. 

Now  amongst  the  many  offices  wherewith  this 
sacristan  was  charged,  one  devoir  he  had  of 
great  import,  namely,  to  tend  and  nourish  with 
pure  oil  the  lamps  that  burned  before  the  altars 
of  the  Saints  ;  for  these  lamps  should  burn  for 
ever  with  an  unchanging  light,  being  indeed  the 
emblem  of  the  Church's  prayers.  And  because 
he  had  a  special  love  for  our  dear  Lady  Saint 
Mary,  this  sacristan  had  exceeding  care  of  the 

E  65 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  lamp  that  was  before  her  altar,  and  trimmed  it 

Window  of  very  often,  and  kept  it  always  filled  with  oil  and 

Paradise       burning  brightly.     But  one  day  it  chanced  that 

this  lamp  wanted  for  oil,  so  that  its  light  grew 

dim  and  was  like  to  be  extinguished  ;  and  when 

he  saw  it  he  was  much  vexed,  and  cast  about  to 

see  what  he  might  do  to  replenish  it  as  quickly 

as  he  could. 

Now  the  lamp  that  burned  before  the  shrine 
of  the  Blessed  Apostle  Saint  Peter  was  full  of 
oil  even  to  the  brim ;  and  it  burned  with  a  great 
light,  exceeding  all  other  in  the  church.  There- 
fore this  sacristan,  for  that  he  was  old  and  some- 
what slothful,  bethought  him  that  he  would 
take  a  little  oil  from  Saint  Peter's  lamp,  and 
therefrom  replenish  that  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  the  which  was  like  to  be  extinguished. 
This  he  did,  thinking  no  harm  of  it,  for  he  held 
that  even  the  Prince  of  the  Apostles  should  find 
it  a  pleasant  thing  and  just  to  give  to  God's 
Mother  those  things  of  which  she  stood  in  need. 
And  not  on  this  day  only,  but  on  many  others, 
he  fed  the  lamp  of  his  Lady  from  out  the  super- 
fluity of  oil  which  Saint  Peter's  suppliants 
offered  at  his  shrine. 

Nevertheless,  that  holy  Apostle  was  greatly 
vexed  at  it ;  for  he  was  of  opinion  that  in  this 
church,  wherein  his  confession  was,  he  stood 
higher  than  all  other  saints,  yea,  even  than  the 
Queen  of  Angels  herself.  And  he  could  not 
endure  that  the  oil  of  his  lamp  should  be  taken 
in  order  that  a  brighter  flame  might  burn  before 
that  Lady's  shrine.  Therefore  one  night  he 
66 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

came   from    Paradise    and    appeared    in    vision   The 
before  that  sacristan  whiles  he  slept,   and  with  Window  of 
angry  looks  he  saith  to  him  :  Paradise 

"  Wherefore,  oh  sacristan,  have  you  taken 
the  oil  from  my  lamp  ?  Is  it  for  this  that  my 
shrine  has  been  given  into  your  keeping  ? " 

Said  the  sacristan,  "  Messire  Saint  Peter,  I 
did  but  borrow  a  little  that  the  lamp  of  Our 
Lady  Saint  Mary  might  be  fed." 

The  Apostle  replied,  "God's  Mother  hath 
much  honour  in  many  lands,  and  many  shrines 
and  pilgrimages  there  are  established  in  her 
name  :  but  this  is  my  house,  wherein  my  body 
lies,  that  is  the  very  Rock  on  which  the  Church 
is  built,  and  here  I  can  in  no  wise  suffer  that 
you  do  the  Lady  Mary  this  courtesy  at  my  ex- 
pense. Oil  has  been  provided  wherewith  to 
light  her  altar,  and  this  must  suffice.  Here  am 
I  accustomed  to  be  honoured  above  all  other 
saints,  and  ill  shall  it  be  for  them  that  fail  to 
give  me  my  due.  Behold,  I  keep  the  key  of 
Heaven,  and  none  can  enter  in  save  them  to 
whom  I  open  ;  and  if  you  be  so  hardy  to  come 
thither,  that  have  given  me  less  oil  that  the 
Blessed  Virgin  may  have  more,  very  surely  I 
shall  shut  the  door  in  your  face." 

Then  the  sacristan  awoke,  full  of  dread,  and 
he  rose  up  swiftly  and  went  into  the  church  ; 
and  there  he  made  haste  to  tend  the  lamp  of  the 
Blessed  Apostle  Saint  Peter  and  show  him 
every  courtesy  he  could.  But  little  hope  did  he 
have  of  it,  for  he  knew  him  to  be  a  hasty  and  a 
vengeful  man. 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  And  when  he  had  done  all  he  might  for  Saint 

Window  of  Peter's  lamp,  then  did  he  give  oil  to  the  one 
Paradise  tnat  burned  before  Saint  Mary's  altar,  and,  "Ah, 
dearest  Lady,"  he  said,  "how  dearly  have  I  paid 
for  my  love  !  For  the  Blessed  Apostle  Saint 
Peter  is  very  wrathful  because  I  have  dared  to 
prefer  your  service  before  his  ;  and  since  I  have 
earned  his  enmity,  he  will  not  open  the  door  of 
Heaven  to  let  me  in.  Alas,  Madame,  what 
shall  I  do  ?  Because  of  my  devotion  I  am  like 
to  be  damned,  for  very  surely  none  shall  enter 
Paradise  that  have  not  the  goodwill  of  him  that 
keeps  the  keys." 

But  behold,  that  night  as  he  lay  on  his  bed, 
Madame  Saint  Mary  came  and  stood  beside  that 
poor  sacristan,  and  spoke  comfortable  words  to 
him,  saying  : 

"  My  very  dear  friend  and  faithful  servant, 
be  joyful  and  fear  not,  for  none  can  harm  you 
whiles  you  have  my  love.  Therefore  continue 
firmly  in  all  that  you  have  aforetime  done, 
honouring  me  at  my  altar  and  tending  my  lamp 
before  all  else.  If  this  you  do,  greatly  shall  it 
profit  you  ;  for  though  the  Apostle  Saint  Peter 
refuse  to  open  the  door  of  Heaven  to  let  you 
in,  yet  is  he  powerless  to  keep  you  from  the 
Celestial  City  so  long  as  you  do  call  upon  my 
name.  Very  truly  he  keeps  the  keys  of  the 
door  of  Paradise,  but  so  soon  as  he  hath  shut  it 
against  you,  I,  of  whom  my  anthem  saith,  "Coeli 
fenestra  facta  es,"  shall  open  the  window,  that 
thereby  you  may  come  in.  This  will  I  ever  do 
for  my  friends  that  fail  not  in  my  service  ;  for 
68 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

the  door  of  Heaven  is  a  very  narrow  gate,  and  The 
Saint  Peter  keepeth  it  exceeding  straitly,   but  Window  of 
the  window  of  my  love  is  very  wide."  Paradise 

Then  was  the  poor  sacristan  greatly  comforted 
by  the  words  that  the  Queen  of  Heaven  had 
said  ;  and  he  rose  up  full  of  joy  to  give  her 
thanks,  repeating  much  devoutly  the  anthem  that 
was  an  earnest  of  her  grace.  Ever  after  he 
tended  her  lamp  before  all  others,  so  that  it 
burned  day  and  night  with  exceeding  splendour, 
the  brightest  in  all  that  church.  No  heed 
did  he  give  to  the  wrath  that  the  Blessed  Apostle 
Saint  Peter  might  feel  at  it,  that  was  so  greatly 
jealous  for  the  honour  of  his  shrine  ;  for  he 
knew  that  all  the  Saints  that  are  in  Paradise, 
yea,  and  the  very  hosts  of  highest  Heaven,  are 
powerless  to  do  hurt  to  those  poor  Christians 
that  do  serve  God's  Mother  zealously  and  with 
love. 


STELLA  MARIS 


HERE  ARE  TOLD  CERTAIN  FAIR  MIRACLES 
THAT  OUR  LADY  SAINT  MARY  DID  UPON 
THE  SEA 

HE  that  would  know  and  understand  how  Stella 
God's    Mother  doth    keep  and   defend  Marts 
her  loving  children,  let  him  consider  in  his  heart 
the  great  mercies  she  hath  done  for  them  that 
adventure  in  ships  upon  the  sea.     For  verily,  as 
the  Psalmist   saith,  "Qui  descendunt  mare  in 
navibus,  facientes  operationem  in  aquis  multis, 
ipsi  viderunt  opera  Domini,  et  mirabilia  ejus  in 
profundo." 

It  is  told  that  on  a  time  an  abbot  and  certain 
other  folk  were  in  a  ship  upon  the  British  seas, 
making  voyage  from  England  unto  France  ;  and 
when  they  were  a  great  way  from  land,  a  tem- 
pest arose  exceeding  fierce  and  put  them  in 
great  peril,  so  that  they  feared  their  ship  must 
break  in  two  and  they  be  drowned.  And  night 
came  upon  them  very  dark  and  full  of  dread,  for 
there  was  no  moon  ;  neither  did  the  storm  abate 
with  the  darkness,  but  rather  grew  in  power. 
Then,  because  they  knew  not  what  should  befall, 
for  that  they  were  altogether  at  the  mercy  of 
the  wind  that  blew  them  whither  it  would,  all 

73 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Stella  that  company  set  themselves  to  call  upon  the 

Marts  Saints  of  Paradise  ;  for  indeed  there  was  nothing 

else  that  they  could  do.  And  each,  according 
to  his  devotion,  made  his  prayer  to  them  ;  one 
crying,  "  Surely  Saint  Nicholas  will  help  us,  that 
did  great  things  for  mariners  in  their  distress  ;" 
and  another,  "  Let  us  call  on  Saint  Clare,  that  she 
may  give  us  light."  And  many  said,  "Nay, 
pray  rather  to  Saint  Christopher,  that  is  right 
powerful  upon  the  waters  ;  for  did  he  not  bear 
God  in  safety  through  the  floods  ?  "  And  one 
and  all  they  promised  many  fair  gifts  and  candles 
to  their  patrons,  if  that  they  would  bring  them 
safely  to  shore  ;  yet  still  the  tempest  raged  ex- 
ceeding fierce  and  decreased  not,  so  that  all  these 
poor  people  were  tossed  most  cruelly  upon  the 
waves,  and  were  in  much  misery  and  dread. 

Then  said  that  abbot  their  fellow  traveller, 
the  which  was  a  discreet  and  holy  man  :  "  My 
fair  friends,  I  marvel  much  that  you  should 
make  your  orisons  to  these  Saints  that  are  so  little 
powerful,  and  that  you  forget  to  call  first  upon 
our  Blessed  LadysSaint  Mary,  for  no  other  Saint 
hath  so  great  a  power  to  help  us,  and  no  tempest 
can  long  endure  in  that  place  where  her  name  is 
heard.  I  say  not  that  you  do  ill  to  entreat  the 
other  Saints,  for  they,  no  doubt,  will  aid  you  if 
they  can ;  but  certainly  you  would  do  better 
still  to  confide  your  business  to  that  glorious 
Virgin,  for  she  is  the  help  of  the  helpless  and 
Star  of  the  Sea." 

When  they  heard  the  good  abbot  speak  thus, 
all,  both  men  and  women,  set  themselves  to 
74 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

pray  to  the  Mother  of  Mercy  with  great  fervour  Stella 
of  supplication  ;  crying  aloud  and  saying,  "  Most  Marls 
noble  Lady,  fair  Queen  of  Heaven,  have  mercy 
on  your  poor  children,  we  beseech  you  !     Dear 
Mother  of  our  gentle  Saviour  that  did  walk  in 
safety  on  the  waves,  will  you  not  succour  us  in 
our  extremity  ?     Verily,  if  you  help  us  not,  we 
must  be  drowned  ;  and  we  know  that  you  can 
save  us  if  you  will." 

And  the  abbot  himself,  though  he  was  so  sick 
and  feeble  that  no  more  could  he  bear,  in  that 
during  two  whole  days  he  had  eaten  only  an 
apple,  began  to  sing  that  respond  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  which  begins,  "  Felix  namque  es,  Virgo 
Maria  ut  omni  laude  !  "  And  all  they  that  were 
in  the  ship  sang  with  him,  so  that  the  sound 
of  their  voices  was  greater  than  the  cry  of  the 
wind. 

And  lo  !  when  this  song  was  partly  done,  all 
saw  a  great  marvel,  to  wit,  a  fair  candle  or 
waxen  taper,  in  the  manner  of  those  that  are  set 
before  the  altars  of  the  Saints,  descending  full 
quickly  out  of  heaven.  And  this  taper  shone 
with  a  bright  light  exceeding  wondrous,  and  it 
came  and  rested  upon  the  mast  and  there  did 
stay,  lighting  all  the  ship  most  sweetly,  as  the 
sun  might  do,  and  chasing  away  the  shades  of 
night  from  round  it.  And  when  that  fair  celestial 
light  did  shine  upon  the  sea,  lo  !  of  a  sudden 
the  tempest  was  altogether  stilled,  so  that  the 
waves,  which  had  been  so  great  that  it  seemed  as 
if  each  one  might  drown  the  world,  rose  not, 
neither  did  the  wind  buffet  them  to  and  fro ; 

75 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Stella  but  the  ship  lay  full  quietly  upon  the  waters, 

Marls  and  by  that  blessed  taper,  the  which  left  them 

not  till  day  came,  it  was  kept  and  guided  till 

it  came   safely   to   the   haven  where   it  would 

be. 

Then  had  all  those  voyagers  great  joy  because 
of  the  fair  miracle  Our  Lady  had  done  for  them  ; 
and  they  gave  her  thanks  most  heartily,  and 
offered  many  candles  at  her  altar  in  remem- 
brance of  that  torch  which  had  lit  them  in  the 
darkness  and  driven  the  tempest  from  their  path. 
And  the  good  abbot  had  this  history  put  in 
writing,  for  the  comfort  of  all  mariners  and 
pilgrims ;  that  they  might  know  how  that 
Madame  Saint  Mary  is  truly  Stella  Marts,  and 
day  and  night  doth  lead  and  keep  her  children 
that  voyage  upon  the  waters  of  the  world. 

To  the  same  intent  hear  this  history.  A 
company  of  pilgrims  there  was  that  took  ship 
at  Venice  to  go  to  the  Holy  Sepulchre  of  Jesu 
Christ  our  Lord.  And  when  they  were  on  the 
high  seas  far  from  land,  a  mighty  and  an  evil 
wind  arose,  by  the  which  they  were  driven  from 
their  path  and  much  hurt  was  done  to  the  ship 
they  were  in ;  so  that  presently,  when  the  tem- 
pest was  gone,  they  found  that  there  was  a  great 
breach  made  in  the  hull  of  it,  by  which  the  sea 
entered  in  full  quickly,  and  it  was  like  to  founder 
and  be  lost.  Then  the  master,  that  was  a  very 
prudent  man,  seeing  that  nought  he  could  do 
might  save  the  ship,  the  which  was  indeed  near 
foundering,  let  launch  a  little  boat ;  and  he  took 
therein  a  bishop  that  was  of  his  company,  and 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

several  other  pilgrims,  men   of  substance   and  Stella 
consideration.    But  he  said  nothing  of  the  danger  Marts 
they  were  in,  inviting  them  only  that  they  should 
take  a  little  row  upon  the  sea  whilst  they  tarried 
for  a  favourable  wind. 

And  because  the  ship  rolled  somewhat  with 
the  motion  of  the  waves,  it  happened  that  one 
of  the  said  pilgrims  missed  his  footing  as  he 
descended  into  the  little  boat,  and  fell  into  the 
abyss  of  the  sea  ;  and  for  nothing  that  they 
could  do  might  they  save  him,  for  he  sank 
straitway  into  the  deeps.  And  they  grieved 
greatly  for  it,  for  they  had  loved  him  well  ; 
nevertheless  the  master  waited  not,  but  when  he 
saw  that  this  poor  man  indeed  was  lost,  full 
hastily  he  pushed  off  from  the  great  ship.  And 
when  he  had  gone  a  little  way,  being  yet  within 
earshot,  he  stayed  and  cried  to  those  pilgrims 
and  mariners  he  had  left  behind,  and  told 
them  how  that  they  were  very  near  to  death  ; 
for  the  ship  must  sink,  and  nothing  could 
he  do  for  them,  in  that  there  was  no  more 
room  in  the  little  boat.  And  he  exhorted 
them  that  they  should  think  each  upon  his 
conscience,  imploring  the  mercy  of  Almighty 
God. 

Ah  !  how  piteous  a  thing  it  was  to  hear  the 
cries  and  lamentations  of  those  unfortunates 
when  they  knew  the  danger  they  were  in ! 
Nevertheless,  being  pious  folk  and  well  advised, 
full  swiftly  they  stilled  their  complaints,  and  set 
themselves  to  confess  their  sins  one  to  another 
very  humbly  :  and  when  so  they  had  done,  they 

77 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

commended  themselves  to  the  care  of  Our  Lord 
and  Our  Lady  with  great  fervour  of  love.  But 
little  time  did  they  have  wherein  to  make  their 
orisons,  for  very  soon  they  that  were  in  the 
little  boat  saw  the  great  ship  break  asunder  with 
rending  sounds  exceeding  grievous  and  go 
down  suddenly  into  the  deep,  and  all  those 
pilgrims  with  it ;  at  the  which  sight  they  that 
were  saved  had  great  sorrow  and  dole  in  their 
hearts.  And  the  bishop,  that  was  a  very  good 
and  compassionate  man,  wept  exceeding  sore, 
seeing  his  comrades  thus  destroyed  ;  and  he 
prayed  most  heartily  to  Jesu  Christ  the  sweet 
and  merciful,  and  to  His  Blessed  Mother  Lady 
Mary,  that  they  would  have  pity  on  these 
pilgrims  that  were  drowned  whilst  seeking  the 
Holy  Sepulchre  for  their  souls'  health.  And  he 
watched  the  sea  a  long  while,  lest  any  floated 
upon  it  that  yet  lived  ;  for  he  desired  to  save 
them  if  he  could. 

And  lo  !  whilst  so  he  did,  presently  by  the 
grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  bishop  saw  a  sight 
most  fair  and  wondrous  ;  to  wit,  great  company 
of  white  doves,  that  came  up  out  of  the  midst 
of  the  waters,  here  two,  here  three,  there  five, 
there  ten  ;  and  all  these  having  come  together 
in  a  great  cloud,  they  flew  up  to  heaven.  Then 
he  gave  thanks  rejoicing,  for  well  he  knew  that 
these  were  the  souls  of  the  good  pilgrims,  the 
which,  while  they  sought  the  earthly  Jerusalem, 
had  found  the  straight  way  to  Heavenly  Syon  ; 
and  he  grieved  also,  repenting  and  reproaching 
himself  in  that  he  had  not  remained  with  them 

78 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

in  the  ship  that  had  brought  them  to  so  sweet  Stella 
an  haven.  Marls 

"  Ah,  Jesu  Christ !  "  said  he,  "  Fair  and  dear 
God !  It  is  plain  that  my  life  is  but  little 
pleasing  unto  you  ;  for  were  it  so,  very  surely 
you  would  not  have  left  me  to  toss  thus  upon 
the  perilous  waters  whilst  my  companions  are 
taken  to  yourself."  And  he  said,  u  Quis  dabit 
mihi  pennas  sicut  columbae,  et  volabo,  et 
requiescam  ?  For  little  need  man  desire  to  be 
left  here  below,  where  all  is  as  unstable  as  the 
ocean  ;  but  he  who  flies  above  shall  come  to  the  ^ 
port  of  Heaven  there  to  dwell  for  ever  in  tran- 
quillity." 

And  after  this,  that  bishop  and  his  com- 
panions floated  fifteen  days  upon  the  waters,  in 
great  misery  and  wretchedness  ;  but  at  last  by 
Our  Lady's  help  they  came  to  land.  And 
behold  !  when  they  were  come  out  of  the  boat 
and  stood  upon  the  shore,  there  they  found  that 
pilgrim  their  comrade  that  had  fallen  into  the 
sea  as  he  descended  from  the  great  ship  to  join 
them.  Then  all  marvelled  exceedingly  to  see 
him  thus  safe  and  sound  upon  the  beach,  for 
they  made  sure  he  had  been  drowned.  And 
many  thought  it  was  a  spirit,  so  that  they 
adjured  him  in  God's  Name  to  tell  them  if 
indeed  it  were  he,  laying  hold  upon  his  garments 
and  entreating  him  that  he  would  speak  :  but 
when  that  he  answered  them,  and  they  were 
assured  that  he  lived,  then  were  they  altogether 
amazed,  and  they  did  kiss  and  embrace  him 
with  much  joy  and  thanksgiving. 

79 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Stella ^  And  the  bishop  said,  "  Verily  it  is  meet  and 

Mans  just  that  we  should  give  thanks  to  that  Lady, 
the  Star  of  the  Sea,  in  whose  keeping  all  pilgrims 
do  stand  ;  for  this  is  her  handiwork." 

Said  the  pilgrim,  "  Messire,  you  speak  truth  ; 
for  Saint  Mary  it  is  that  hath  upheld  me  in  the 
waters  and  brought  me  safely  to  this  shore." 

Then  said  the  bishop,  "  Tell  us,  I  pray 
you,  my  brother,  what  befell  you  when  you 
were  cast  into  the  sea  ?  For  you  went  down 
straitway  into  the  abyss,  so  that  we  thought 
you  dead,  for  we  could  not  see  you  any  more." 

Answered  the  pilgrim,  "  Small  marvel  is 
therein  ;  for  verily  we  know  that  Our  Lady 
can  save  her  servants  from  the  very  pains  of 
Hell.  Therefore  most  easily  can  she  succour 
them  from  the  perils  of  the  sea." 

The  bishop  replied,  "  I  doubt  it  not,  for  I 
am  assured  that  the  Mother  of  God  can  do  all 
things.  Nevertheless,  we  are  greatly  impatient 
to  know  by  what  road  and  in  what  manner  she 
brought  you  here  ;  for  fifteen  days  have  passed 
since  that  you  fell  into  the  waters,  in  the  which 
you  can  have  had  neither  meat  nor  drink." 

Said  the  pilgrim,  "  I  have  neither  hunger  nor 
thirst." 

"  By  the  Rood  !  "  said  the  bishop  ;  "  great 
favour  have  you  had  !  I  pray  you  tell  us,  if 
you  can,  how  it  has  chanced." 

Said  the  pilgrim,  "  When  I  fell  from  the  ship, 
and  saw  below  me  the  great  gulf  of  the  sea,  I 
called  upon  Our  Lady,  Stella  Mar  is,  and  did 
entreat  her  help  with  all  my  heart.  But  so 
80 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

quickly  I  fell,  that  no  other  saint  could  I  invoke ;  Stella 
neither  did  I  pray  to  her  Son,  for  there  was  no  Marls 
time.  Nevertheless,  so  soon  as  I  was  in  the 
waters,  Madame  Saint  Mary  came  to  me  ex- 
ceeding swiftly,  and  very  gently  she  did  wrap 
me  in  her  mantle,  so  that  the  waves  touched 
me  not  at  all.  And  when  that  I  felt  those 
folds  around  me,  I  had  no  more  fear.  And  that 
sweet  and  glorious  Virgin  carried  me  under  her 
cloak  through  the  midst  of  the  waters ;  and  she 
brought  me  in  safety  to  this  shore  where  now 
I  am,  in  the  same  moment  wherein  your  boat 
did  come  to  land." 

Then  the  bishop,  being  full  of  awe,  knelt 
down  upon  the  beach  and  gave  thanks  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin, saying,  "Sweet  Lady,  Saint  Mary, 
most  piteous  Maiden,  verily,  neither  in  Heaven 
nor  earth  is  there  any  that  shall  call  on  you  in 
vain  !  For  so  soon  as  you  hear  the  cry  of  your 
children,  very  speedily  you  come  to  their  help, 
and  wrap  the  mantle  of  your  mercy  around  them, 
by  the  which  they  are  preserved  from  every 
grief." 

Of  a  surety,  Our  Lady's  mantle  hath  great 
virtue  for  the  protection  of  them  that  are  shel- 
tered therein  ;  no  peril  shall  come  near  to  that 
traveller  about  whom  it  is  cast.  Thus  did  it 
happen  on  a  time  that  certain  clerks  were  in  a 
galley  on  the  sea,  making  passage  to  a  shrine 
where  they  would  go  ;  and  a  great  tempest 
arose,  by  the  which  they  were  put  in  much 
danger,  for  so  high  was  the  wind  that  they  could 
not  row  at  all,  but  were  compelled  to  let  drift 

F  81 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Stella  the  galley  whither  it  led  them.     Now  these  were 

Marls  lettered  men,  expert  in  Latin  ;  therefore,  being 
in  much  need  of  Our  Lady's  protection,  they 
began  to  sing  her  hymn,  that  is  called  "  Ave, 
Maris  Stella,"  with  a  very  great  devotion.  And 
they  were  in  much  dread,  for  the  waves  were 
exceeding  great;  yet  had  they  trust  in  Saint 
Mary's  power. 

Then  was  their  faith  justified  unto  them,  for 
when  they  were  come  to  the  words,  "  Monstra 
te  esse  Matrem  !  "  behold  !  they  saw  our  com- 
passionate Mother,  that  is  the  Queen  of  Heaven 
and  Earth,  who  came  to  them  upon  the  waters  ; 
and  whilst  they  gazed  upon  her  beauty,  she  took 
from  her  fair  shoulders  the  Mantle  of  Mercy, 
and  spread  it  as  a  veil  about  the  galley  that  was 
in  such  distress.  And  at  once  there  was  a  great 
calm,  for  no  tempests  nor  foul  winds  may  come 
therein. 

Then  said  the  master  of  the  ship,  "  Row, 
brothers,  row,  lest  the  storm  come  on  us  again  !  " 
And  so  did  they  do,  and  that  Lady  conducting 
them,  and  keeping  them  ever  under  the  shelter 
of  her  love,  they  came  quickly  to  land  in  great 
peace  and  joy,  praising  and  lauding  that  Blessed 
Virgin,  the  Star  of  the  Sea,  and  the  Helper  of 
Christian  folk. 

Verily,  there  is  no  sinner  so  great  that  Saint 
Mary  will  not  shelter  him  in  the  mantle 
of  her  mercy  if  he  ask  it ;  nor  is  there  any  so 
virtuous  that  he  may  do  without  its  aid. 
Let  us  fly  quickly,  oh  my  brother  !  beneath  the 
cloak  of  that  compassionate  Lady,  that  there  we 
82 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

may   be   safe    from  every  peril,   and   sheltered  Stella 
against  the  righteous  anger  of  the  Judge.     And  Marts 
let  us  make  our  humble  petition  to  that  glorious 
Virgin,  saying  devoutly  : 

u  Dear  Lady,  Star  of  the  Sea,  without  thee  our 
ship  wanders  helpless  upon  the  troublous  waters 
of  the  world  !  Send,  we  beseech  thee,  fair  winds 
to  fill  our  sails,  that  swiftly  we  may  achieve  that 
comfortable  haven  that  thy  Son  hath  prepared 
for  them  that  adventure  on  the  seas  :  even  the 
joyous  port  of  Heavenly  Syon,  where  no  storms 
nor  tempests  ever  come. 

"  Placa  mare,  Maris  Stella, 
Ne  involvet  nos  procella, 
Vel  tempestas  obvia  !  " 


THE  EYES  OF  THE  BLIND 


THE  MIRACLE  OF  A  GENTLEWOMAN  TO 
WHOM  GOD'S  MOTHER  DID  RESTORE  THE 
SIGHT  OF  HER  EYES 

IN  the  city  of  Roc  Amadour  there  was  of  old  The  Eyes  of 
time  established  a  right  solemn  pilgrimage  of  the  Blind 
Our  Lady  unto  the  abbey-church  of  that  place. 
There  was  her  shrine  set  up,  that  was  exceeding 
rich   with   gifts   and   treasure,    and    many  fair 
miracles  were  done  therein. 

Now  it  happened  on  a  time  that  a  certain 
gentlewoman  of  the  country  side,  a  very  fair  and 
gracious  lady,  did  lose  the  sight  of  her  eyes  ; 
for  the  which  cause  she  was  full  of  grief,  as  well 
might  be.  Alas  !  thus  does  it  ofttimes  befall 
them  that  abuse  what  they  have ;  for  this  lady 
was  a  person  of  much  beauty,  comely  and  de- 
bonair, that  greatly  did  misuse  her  gifts,  in  that 
being  subject  to  vanity  she  governed  herself  so 
ill  that  her  life  was  an  evil  ensample,  a  stumbling- 
block  to  many  and  displeasing  to  God.  There- 
fore did  He  take  her  sight  from  her,  because  she 
had  used  it  but  foolishly,  gazing  upon  worldly 
gauds  and  never  looking  on  the  light  divine. 

But  when  she  found  that  she  must  live  in 
darkness,  this  gentlewoman  was  greatly  penitent 

8? 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Eyes  of  for  the  many  follies  she  had  done  :  and  being 
the  Blind      moved  to  put  her  trust  in  the  infinite  pity  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  she  vowed  herself  entirely  to  that 
Lady,  and  prayed  to  her  most  heartily,  promis- 
ing to  amend  her  ways  if  that  she  might  have 
her  sight  again.     And  being  advised  by  a  priest 
of  her  township,  she  undertook  to  make  pilgrim- 
age upon  her  feet  to  Roc  Amadour,  a  long  way 
and  weary  :  and  many  of  her  neighbours  went 
with   her,  for   they  were  grieved  for  her  mis- 
fortune, and  hoped  she  might  get  great  good  of 
that  pilgrimage.     Thus  they  went  altogether,  a 
day's  journey,  and  when  they  had  come  within 
sight  of  the  abbey-church,  that  is  to  the  place 
that   is    called    Mont    Joye,    because  here    the 
pilgrim's    happiness  begins,  they  stayed  for   to 
ask  the  blessing  of  God  and  Our  Lady  on  the 
adventure  ;  and  all  kneeling  down  right  humbly 
on  the  earth,  they  made  their  devotions,  saying 
the  Salve  Regina  and  Ave  Maria,  as  their  hearts 
did  move  them   to   do.     And  the    neighbours 
called  this  lady  that  was  blind  by  her  name,  and 
said  to  her  that  now  she  should  have  good  cheer 
for  her  sorrow  was  nearly  done,  in  that  they  were 
come  within  sight  of  Roc  Amadour,  and  of  Our 
Lady's  shrine. 

Then,  when  she  heard  this,  that  poor  gentle- 
woman began  to  weep  exceeding  sore,  and  to 
call  upon  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  saying, 
"  Sweet  and  most  piteous  Lady  !  I  entreat 
you  by  your  holy  name,  and  that  of  your  dear 
Son  that  did  have  mercy  on  the  blind  to  heal 
them,  that  you  will  look  favourably  on  this  poor 
88 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

sinner,   the  which    is    both    sad    and    suffering.   The  Eyes  of 

Most  glorious  Lady,  I  know  well  that  if  you  the  Blind 

grant  it  me,  I  may  regain  my  sight ;  for  I  am 

assured  that  in  this  your  renown  lies  not.     Ah, 

give  me  my  sight  again,  dear  Queen  of  Heaven, 

and  I  vow  that  from  this  day  forth  I  will  amend 

my  life,  and  do  all  things  that  be  pleasing  unto 

you." 

No  sooner  had  she  said  those  words  of  peni- 
tence, than  great  light  came  to  that  lady,  the 
which  had  stood  in  darkness  so  long  ;  for  the 
glorious  Virgin  gave  to  her  her  sight  again,  and 
never  in  all  her  life  had  she  seen  more  clearly. 
Then  she  began  to  cry  with  a  loud  voice,  for 
she  was  exceeding  glad  and  full  of  amazement, 
saying,  "  Dear  Saint  Mary  !  I  see  clear !  Lady, 
Lady,  I  give  you  great  thanks,  for  I  know  that 
I  am  altogether  vile  and  have  done  nought  that 
might  deserve  this  sovereign  grace."  And 
gazing  with  much  devotion  on  the  shrine  of  Roc 
Amadour  that  was  before  them,  she  said  also, 
"  Levavi  oculos  meos  in  montes,  unde  veniet 
auxilium  mihi  "  with  many  other  devout  psalms 
and  lauds. 

Then  all  the  folk  her  neighbours  that  were 
with  her  cried  out  with  joy,  weeping  because  of 
the  marvel  they  had  seen  ;  and  they  ran  before, 
that  they  might  tell  the  miracle  to  all  the  pil- 
grims that  were  on  the  road.  And  these  came 
also,  great  company,  hastening  that  they  might 
see  the  lady  for  whom  the  Queen  of  Angels  had 
done  this  kindliness :  and  all  did  gaze  upon  her, 
praising  God  and  His  Mother  the  while.  So 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Eyes  of  did   they  go,  till  that  they  were  come  to  the 

the  Blind      precincts  of  the  church  ;  and  they  would  enter 

by  the  great  door  into  the  nave,  that  they  might 

go  to  the  chapel  of  the  Virgin  and  make  their 

orisons  without  delay. 

But  when  that  gentlewoman  came  to  the  church 
door,  lo  !  she  could  in  no  wise  enter  it;  at  which 
she  marvelled  much,  and  so  did  her  neighbours, 
and  they  let  press  and  compel  her  to  pass  the 
threshold,  but  she  could  not  do  it  for  anything 
that  might  be.  And  at  last,  when  many  efforts 
they  had  made,  she  said  to  them  that  they  must 
cease  from  it,  for  they  did  but  hurt  her  body  by 
their  travail.  "  For  well  do  I  know/'  said  she, 
"  that  hands  which  we  see  not  keep  me  from  this 
door,  and  nought  that  you  can  do  will  make  me 
to  pass  it." 

And  so  it  was,  for  though  all  the  world  had 
put  its  strength  to  the  test,  yet  could  they  not 
have  made  this  lady  to  enter  God's  House ;  for  I 
would  have  you  to  know  that  she  was  unshriven, 
and  till  that  she  had  made  her  confession  her 
sins,  that  were  many,  held  her  back. 

Therefore  after  a  while,  her  friends  went  into 
the  church  and  left  her  where  she  stood  alone 
outside  the  door  :  and  they  took  counsel  one  with 
another,  and  also  with  the  priests  of  the  place, 
what  were  best  to  do.  Then  said  the  priests  that 
very  surely  the  Devil  had  power  over  this  lady's 
body,  to  keep  it  from  the  House  of  God.  There- 
fore it  were  convenient  that  she  be  confessed 
there  where  she  stood,  for  until  she  should  repent 
her  of  her  sins  and  be  absolved,  very  certainly 
90 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

she  might  not  come  within  the  church  to  do  her  The  Eyes  of 
devoir,  namely,  to  give  thanks  to  Our  Lady  of  the  Blind 
Roc  Amadour  for  the  mercy  she  had  nad.  And 
one  of  them,  that  was  a  discreet  and  zealous  man, 
went  out  to  the  porch  in  his  surplice  to  hear  her 
confession;  the  which  she  did  make  full  humbly, 
telling  all  her  life  that  she  had  led  and  the  many 
follies  of  it  word  by  word,  and  how  that  by  reason 
of  her  vanity  she  had  led  divers  men  to  evil  con- 
versation and  vile  desires,  grievously  sinning 
against  God. 

And  when  this  priest  had  looked  upon  her, 
that  was  indeed  a  very  comely  lady,  having  her 
head  adorned  exceeding  sweetly  with  hair  of 
golden  colour,  soft  fine  and  plenteous  beyond 
all  measure  : 

"  My  dear  sister,"  said  he,  "  I  am  very  sure 
that  by  these  fair  tresses  of  yours  you  have  done 
great  hurt  to  many  souls,  for  all  to  whom  you 
have  shown  them  have  desired  you.  And  indeed 
such  twisted  locks  and  vain  delights  are  but  a 
snare  of  the  Enemy,  for  though  your  head  were 
apparelled  with  pure  gold,  yet  had  God  preferred 
that  you  should  wear  the  ornament  of  modesty. 
Therefore  I  charge  you,  if  you  would  be  shriven 
of  your  sins,  that  you  let  cut  off  these  fair  locks  .-- 
that  have  been  so  great  an  hindrance  to  your 
soul,  and  do  make  offering  of  them  in  honour  of 
God  and  His  Mother,  giving  thanks  because 
your  blindness  has  been  healed.  For  when  you 
are  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  vanity,  very 
surely  you  shall  see  with  a  ghostly  sight,  that  is 
with  the  eye  of  the  soul,  whereby  we  apprehend 

91 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Eyes  of  celestial  things.    Then  may  you  enter  the  church 
the  Blind      to  make  your  thanksgiving,  and  the  fruit  of  your 
penitence  shall  be  greatly  acceptable  to  God." 

The  lady,  being  in  great  fear  because  of  the 
miracle,  and  desiring  also  to  be  shriven  lest  her 
blindness  come  on  her  again,  durst  not  withhold 
herself  from  this  penance  that  was  put  on  her ; 
but  she  was  exceeding  displeased  in  her  heart, 
for  her  hair  was  the  greatest  treasure  that  she 
had,  and  she  was  little  minded  to  go  all  her  days 
coiffed  in  the  manner  of  a  nun,  the  which  became 
her  not  at  all.  But  little  time  did  she  have  to 
ponder  the  matter,  for  scissors  being  brought, 
straitway  her  confessor  cut  the  hair  from  of? 
her  head,  so  that  nought  remained  of  it  to  please 
the  eye;  and  when  it  was  done  he  caused  it  to  be 
carried  to  that  place  within  the  church  where  are 
exposed  the  tresses  of  those  women  that  desire 
salvation,  as  also  the  fetters  of  freed  captives  and 
other  matters  of  like  kind.  And  the  gentle- 
woman having  received  absolution,  behold!  she 
entered  most  easily  into  the  church  where  before 
she  might  not  come,  and  led  by  her  confessor 
did  go  to  the  shrine  of  the  glorious  Virgin, 
where,  taught  by  him,  she  made  her  thank- 
offering,  and  also  recited  many  prayers.  But 
her  heart  was  exceeding  sore  for  the  loss  of  her 
tresses,  for  she  saw  that  her  neighbours  looked 
curiously  upon  her,  the  which  she  liked  not. 

Then  when  she  had  done,  she  went  with  the 
other  pilgrims  to  an  inn  for  to  dine  ;  and  all  that 
were  there  gave  her  joy  of  the  miracle,  but  little 
joy  was  in  that  lady's  soul.  And  after  dinner 
92 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

they  set  forth  again  by  the  road  by  which  they   The  Eyes  of 

had  come,  for  they  would  reach  home  before  the  Blind 

night  fell :  and  as  they  went  upon  the  way,  this 

gentlewoman,  being  no  more  in  the  church  but 

having  her  face  set  toward  the  world,  was  full 

sorrowful  thinking  on  her  beautiful  hair  that 

she  had  left  behind  her,  and  how  that  when  she 

came  home  they  that  had  desired  her  would 

know  her  not  because  she  was  shorn.     And  she 

grieved  much  for  that  being  full  of  fear  and 

dread  she  had  so  easily  been  spoiled  of  this  her 

treasure.     Thus  did  she  do  and  thus  go,  till 

they  came  again  to  the  hill  that  is  called  Mont 

Joye,  where  first  they  had  seen  Roc  Amadour 

and  the  comfortable  vision  of  Our  Lady's  church. 

There  they  stayed  one  for  another,  that  those 

who  lingered  might  not   be  left    behind ;   and 

kneeling  down  upon  the  earth  they  made  each 

their  farewells  to  our  sweet  Lady,  saying  the 

Ave  Maria. 

But  this  gentlewoman,  that  had  had  so  great 
a  mercy,  thanked  her  not  at  all,  but  cried  with 
a  loud  voice  and  woeful,  saying : 

"  Alas,  Saint  Mary,  what  have  you  done  to 
me  ?  Behold,  I  came  to  you  apparelled  in 
much  beauty,  and  you  have  robbed  me  of  that 
which  I  loved:  and  now  my  heart  has  great 
dole  because  of  the  fair  tresses  I  have  left  with 
you,  and  therefore  I  cannot  be  at  peace." 

And  lo!  so  soon  as  she  had  spoken,  great 
marvel  came  on  all  that  company;  for  in  that 
instant,  her  hair  that  had  been  cut  from  off  her 
came  to  her  again,  quicker  than  eye  could  close 

93 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Eyes  of  or  open,  and  strait  way  her  head  was  set  about 
the  Blind  with  golden  tresses  that  fell  in  twisted  locks  to 
her  waist,  as  fair  as  had  ever  been.  But  little 
joy  did  she  have  of  it,  for  in  that  same  moment 
the  sight  of  her  eyes  that  Our  Lady  had  re- 
stored was  taken  from  her;  and  she  stood  in 
great  darkness,  nor  could  ever  see  again  the 
golden  hair  that  she  so  greatly  loved.  For 
Saint  Mary  taketh  not  a  grudging  gift;  nor 
doth  she  bestow  her  mercies  on  them  that 
dispute  with  her  the  price  of  their  relief, 
desiring  the  pleasures  of  the  world  along  with 
the  blessing  of  Heaven. 

And  when  the  neighbours  that  were  with  this 
lady  saw  the  miracle,  they  were  full  of  amaze- 
ment; but  nought  could  they  do  for  her,  for 
well  they  knew  that  this  was  the  judgment  of 
God.  And  they  led  her  to  her  home,  and  to 
her  friends,  and  told  them  all  the  adventure, 
and  the  news  of  it  ran  through  all  the  country, 
for  indeed  it  was  a  very  wondrous  thing.  And 
though  much  prayers  were  made  to  God  and  to 
His  Mother,  yet  that  gentlewoman  got  little 
good  of  it  but  stayed  ever  in  the  darkness  to 
which  she  was  returned ;  for  little  would  it  avail 
to  restore  the  sight  of  the  eyes  to  them  that 
have  the  blindness  of  the  soul. 

Now  this  history  should  be  a  most  precious 
ensample  to  all  ladies,  the  which  are  greatly 
inclined  to  the  sin  of  vanity,  desiring  in  their 
folly  to  make  show  in  the  world  and  turn  hearts 
from  God  by  their  fair  appearance.  These  do 
search  and  find  out  how  they  may  get  false  joys 
94 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

of  their    comely   faces,   taking  pride    in    their  The  Eyes  of 
curled    tresses   and    fair  skins,  that  are  but    a  the  Blind 
fleeting   gaud    agreeable    to   the  eye  of   sense. 
But  the   eyes    of  the   wise  do  rather  seek  to 
apprehend    a    spiritual    beauty,    that    is  a  per- 
durable treasure  most  pleasing  in  the  sight  of 
God. 


95 


THE  LITTLE  CLERK 


HERE  WE  TELL  HOW  THE  CHILD  OF  A 
POOR  WOMAN  GAVE  HIS  CAKE  TO  OUR 
LADY'S  CHILD 

i 

THERE  was  upon  a  time  a  certain  bishop  The  Little 
of  the  city  of  Spires,  the  which  had  an  Clerk 
exceeding  love  for  little  children ;  and  because 
he  was  of  opinion  that  none  was  too  small  nor 
too  simple  for  God's  service,  he  would  have 
these  little  ones  brought  to  him  full  early,  that 
they  might  be  clerked  and  set  to  sing  the  Office 
of  the  Church.  Thus  it  was  that  in  his  cathedral 
young  canons  there  were  that  knew  not  their 
letters  nor  scarce  how  to  say  Amen,  and  many 
little  clerks  that  had  prayed  better  at  their 
mothers'  knee  than  in  the  stalls  of  the  choir. 
But  because  they  were  of  his  kindred,  the  bishop 
considered  not  their  shortcomings,  which  indeed 
were  many,  for  barely  did  they  know  how  to 
comport  themselves  mannerly,  much  less  how 
the  Psalter  should  be  sung.  Yea,  pardoning 
their  errors  of  Latinity,  he  loved  to  hear  his 
little  ones  sing  the  Hours  as  best  they  could, 
holding  that  the  Holy  Child  would  Himself 
look  gently  on  their  childishness. 

Now  there  was  amongst  them  one  very  little 

99 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Little     boy,  the  child  of  a  poor  woman,  a  widow  ;  and 
Clerk  he  was  a  clerk  of  the  cathedral,  and  came  every 

day  in  his  surplice  to  walk  in  the  procession  of 
the  singers.  But  he  was  so  small  a  child  that  he 
could  not  rightly  understand  the  service  of  God ; 
therefore,  when  the  Office  began,  he  would  go 
very  often  from  the  choir  and  play  alone  in  the 
cathedral  aisles  whiles  his  brothers,  that  were 
lettered,  said  their  prayers.  And  specially  he 
loved  to  be  in  one  place,  namely,  the  ambu- 
latory that  goes  behind  the  screens  of  the  choir  ; 
for  here  he  had  a  friend  that  ever  waited  him,  to 
wit,  Our  Lady's  Child,  as  I  shall  tell. 

Now  in  this  place  there  was  a  very  ancient 
image  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  that  held 
Our  Lord,  that  is  her  Baby,  in  her  arms  ;  and 
it  stood  in  a  corner  niche,  close  to  the  ground, 
where  all  might  come  near  it.  And  I  would 
have  you  to  know  that  this  image  had  been  once 
of  an  exceeding  price  and  beauty,  and  for  long 
time  had  been  bestowed  in  a  chapel,  greatly 
worshipped,  and  made  rich  with  candles  and 
with  votive  gifts.  But  because  it  was  now  grown 
old,  blackened  with  the  smoke  of  many  torches, 
and  the  fair  colours  that  had  been  on  it  were 
altogether  worn  away,  it  had  seemed  to  the 
people  of  that  city  to  be  no  longer  of  a  splendour 
befitting  their  cathedral-church.  Therefore  had 
it  been  taken  from  its  altar,  and  stayed  now  in 
this  corner,  where  few  passed  by  but  clerks  going 
on  their  business  from  the  sacristy  to  the  choir. 
And  none  heeded  it,  for  there  was  a  finer  and  a 
newer  image  in  the  Lady  Chapel,  painted  in  the 
100 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

very  colours  of  life  ;  before  this  the  townsfolk   The  Little 
made  their  orisons,  and  the  old,  worn  Virgin  Clerk 
was  forgot.     Nevertheless,  this  image  had  stilt 
the  high  and  golden  crown  that  had  been  given 
her  in  the  days  when  many  prayed  to  her  ;  but 
the  Child  that  she  carried  wore  only  the  king- 
ship of  infancy. 

The  little  clerk  came  often  to  the  dark  corner 
where  this  Lady  stood  alone,  and  there  he  would 
talk  to  that  other  Child,  and  invite  Him  to  play 
and  bear  him  company  ;  and  though  this  Friend 
of  his  would  answer  never,  yet  he  came  gradually 
to  love  Him,  and  desire  His  comradeship  and 
love.  And  he  would  say  within  himself  as  he 
came  to  the  church,  "  Perhaps  my  fellow  will 
speak  with  me  to-day." 

Now  there  came  a  day  when  a  great  feast  was 
held,  and  all  the  clergy  and  singers  and  the  bur- 
gesses and  their  wives  came  to  the  cathedral,  and 
High  Mass  was  sung  with  great  solemnity.  The 
little  clerk  came  also,  but  because  of  the  great 
press  of  clergy  he  could  not  find  place  for  himself 
in  the  choir  :  so  he  wandered  to  the  ambulatory, 
and,  said  he,  "  Perhaps  my  fellow  will  play  with 
me  to-day  and  I  will  give  him  of  my  cake  to  eat." 
For  his  mother  had  given  him  for  his  dinner  a 
feast-cake,  such  as  are  sold  in  fairs,  and  this  he 
was  eating  as  he  went  through  the  church,  and 
to  the  corner  wherein  the  image  stood. 

Then  he  looked  up  and  saw  the  worn  face 
of  God's  Mother  that  gazed  at  him  from  her 
niche,  and  the  Baby  that  was  in  her  arms ; 
and  it  seemed  to  him  that  whiles  much  orison 

101 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Little     was   made  in  the   choir  to  some  God  that  he 
Clerk  knew  not,  this  Lady  and  her  Child  were  very 

lonely,  and  had  little  joy  in  the  feast.  Then  the 
little  clerk,  that  was  but  a  simple  child,  came  to 
the  feet  of  that  image,  as  he  might  have  done 
to  his  mother's  feet,  and  he  spoke  as  he  was  used 
to  do  to  the  Christ-child  that  was  his  Friend. 
And  he  offered  Him  a  piece  of  cake,  saying  : 

"  Taste,  little  Baby,  of  my  dinner  ;  for  you 
are  welcome."  And  he  broke  off  a  bit  from  the 
cake  and  put  it  within  the  hand  of  the  Holy 
Child,  saying  again,  "  Eat,  little  one !  " 

But  when  he  saw  how  that  his  Friend  neither 
answered  nor  ate  of  the  cake,  that  little  clerk 
was  so  greatly  disappointed  that  he  began  to 
cry ;  and  he  reached  up  and  put  his  arm  about 
the  neck  of  the  Christ-child,  as  children  do  to 
one  another  in  love,  saying,  "  What  is  the 
matter,  good  fellow,  that  you  will  never  speak 
with  me  nor  play  with  me  ?  Wilt  not  have 
my  cake  ?  Canst  not  speak  ?  "  For  he  thought 
within  himself,  "  Perhaps  such  a  very  little  boy 
had  not  yet  learned  to  speak." 

Then  did  he  take  comfort,  considering  in  his 
mind  how  that  doubtless  so  small  a  Baby  re- 
frained not  from  any  unkindness,  but  rather 
because  He  understood  not  what  was  said,  nor 
ate,  unless  of  pap  or  broth.  Therefore  said 
he  to  Him,  as  his  nurse  might  have  do  : 

c<  Suck,  pretty  Boy,  this  pap." 

And  this  he  said  to  see  if  he  were  under- 
stood, putting  a  soft  crumb  from  the  dough  of 
his  cake  to  the  lips  of  the  Holy  Child. 
102 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

"  Yes,  eat,  dear  Baby,  in  faith,  God  helping  The  Little 
you,"  he  said,  "  for    I    fear    You  may  die  of  Clerk 
hunger  if  You  eat  not.     Taste,  then,  a  little  of 
my  dinner,  for  truly  it  is  very  good,  and  after- 
ward we  may  play  together  if  You  will.     I  see 
well  that  there  be  none  here  to  care  for  You  nor 
feed  You ;  therefore  will  I  do  so  if  God  will  be 
my  helper." 

Then  did  God  do  great  miracle  ;  for  Our 
Lady  Saint  Mary  spoke  by  the  mouth  of  this 
her  image,  and  she  said  to  her  Son : 

"  Fair  Son,  what  recompense  shall  be  given 
to  this  little  child  for  his  cake,  the  which  he  hath 
freely  given  to  You  ?  Shall  You  not  eat  with 
him  as  he  hath  asked  You,  and  be  his  good 
fellow  in  love  ? " 

And  at  once  the  child  that  was  held  in  her  arms 
replied  to  her,  saying :  "  Dear  and  sweet  Mother, 
I  know  that  this  little  clerk  would  serve  Me  well 
if  he  could  ;  for  during  all  the  years  wherein  I 
have  rested  in  this  place,  and  have  received  the 
prayers  of  those  that  call  upon  Me,  none  before 
has  given  Me  to  eat,  save  only  this  little  boy, 
who  has  said,  *  Taste  of  my  cake,  little  one.' 
Sweet  Mother,  here  I  may  not  eat  with  him  nor 
play  with  him,  but  I  say  unto  you  that  in  three 
days  this  child  shall  come  to  Me  in  Paradise, 
and  there  we  shall  dine  together,  and  I  will  give 
to  him  a  crown  exceeding  glorious ;  and  never 
before  has  he  tasted  such  meat  as  that  which 
he  shall  share  with  Me  then." 

Then  said  Our  Lady  to  the  little  boy :  "  Dear 
my  child,  you  have  heard  the  words  that  my 

103 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Little     Lord  and  Son  hath  said :  therefore  keep  them 
Clerk  well  in  mind,  for  in  three  days  you  shall  most 

surely  come  to  my  Son  and  to  me,  and  I  will 
receive  you  and  cherish  you  full  sweetly,  for  1 
am  the  Mother  of  all  children  that  give  to  one 
another  in  love.  Now  go  you  to  your  mother, 
and  tell  her  all  that  I  have  said  to  you,  and  lie 
down  upon  your  bed  with  thankfulness,  for  my 
Son  calls  you  to  a  better  place,  and  there  He 
waits  His  brother,  and  I  with  Him,  and  He 
shall  give  you  of  a  bread  sweet  as  honey 
whereon  you  shall  dine." 

Said  the  little  clerk,  "  Right  gladly  will  I 
come  to  my  fellow  and  dine  with  Him,  what 
day  soever  it  please  Him  best ;  but  shall  not 
my  mother  come  too  ? " 

The  Blessed  Virgin  replied  to  him,  "She  is 
not  ready  for  that  dinner,  but  afterward  she 
shall  come." 

Then  the  little  clerk  went  out  from  the 
cathedral,  and  he  returned  to  his  home  and  lay 
upon  his  bed.  And  his  mother  said  to  him : 

"  Why  have  you  come  from  the  church 
in  the  midst  of  the  feast  ?  " 

"  Mother,"  said  the  little  boy,  "  be  not 
wrathful,  for  I  must  lay  me  on  my  bed  with 
patience,  because  the  image  of  Our  Lady  has 
spoken  with  me  and  ordained  it,  and  so  has  my 
fellow,  that  is  her  Child.  And  they  said  unto 
me  that  in  three  days  I  should  go  hence  that  I 
may  dine  with  Him,  and  then  I  shall  be  lodged 
in  Paradise,  for  so  the  image  of  Saint  Mary  has 
willed.  And  1  long  greatly,"  he  said,  "  to  be 
104 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

again  with  that  little  Child,  and  to  play  with   The  Little 
Him  and  He  with  me,  for  I  love  Him  ;  and  I  Clerk 
know  that  it  shall  be  so,  for  already  my  head 
begins  to  hurt  me  very  much,  and  I  am  sure 
that  I  must  die." 

Saith  his  mother  :  "  My  sweet  boy,  say  you 
truly  that  the  image  has  spoken  with  you  ? " 

"  Yes,  mother,  doubt  it  not ;  even  that  old 
image  of  which  none  take  heed,  the  same  that 
stands  in  the  niche  behind  the  choir." 

Then  that  mother  ran  in  haste  to  the  cathe- 
dral-church, and  to  the  image  ;  and  there  she 
saw  the  Holy  Child  that  held  still  the  piece  of 
cake  He  had  received  from  her  little  son.  And 
by  this  was  she  shown  the  truth  of  that  which 
she  had  heard  ;  and  she  came  back  much  sor- 
rowful to  her  child  where  he  lay  on  his  bed. 
And  for  three  days  she  tended  him  in  his  sick- 
ness, but  he  mended  not. 

And  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day,  as  she 
sat  beside  him,  she  saw  our  most  gracious  Lady, 
even  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary  Queen  of  Angels, 
crowned  and  vested  in  the  manner  of  that  image 
by  the  which  she  had  spoken  to  the  little  clerk. 
And  this  most  sweet  Lady  came  and  stood  by 
the  bedside,  and  said  to  the  child  : 

"  Come,  little  son,  your  Brother  awaits  you; 
for  you  are  made  one  of  His  family,  in  that  you 
have  freely  and  lovingly  given  of  that  which  was 
yours.  Even  now  He  looks  for  your  coming, 
that  you  may  eat  together  in  Paradise  the  ban- 
quet He  hath  set  for  all  His  friends." 

Then  did   Our  Lady  receive   right   tenderly 

105 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Little     the  soul  of  the  little  boy,  and   bore  it  with  her 
Clerk  to  Paradise  ;  and  his  mother  went  forth  weeping 

much  bitterly  for  that  she  had  lost  her  child, 
and  told  the  matter  to  her  priest.  And  because 
of  the  miracle  they  took  the  body  of  the  little 
clerk  and  laid  it  in  the  cathedral-church  with 
great  and  joyous  ceremony  ;  and  the  miracle 
was  fairly  writ  and  put  in  authority,  for  the 
comfort  and  encouragement  of  all  faithful 
folk. 

But  who  is  there  that  can  truly  write  or  say 
all  the  grace  and  kindness  of  that  Virgin  Mother, 
Mater  Purissima,  Janua  Coeli ;  even  she  that 
disdains  not  the  gifts  of  the  little  children  of  the 
poor  nor  the  love  of  simple  men  ?  Verily  hath 
he  chosen  wisely  who  hath  chosen  this  best  and 
sweetest  Friend  ! 


106 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  SURETY 


HOW  A  CHRISTIAN  OF  BYZANCE  DID  BOR- 
ROW FROM  A  JEW  AND  GAVE  OUR  LO'RD  TO 
BE  HIS  PLEDGE 

SO  many  things  there  are  that  must  be  told  The 
concerning    the    sweet   miracles   that    Our  Christian's 
Lady  hath  done,  that   I   know    not    which    to  Surety 
choose  first.     Therefore  must  I  do  as  those  that 
search  for  wild  flowers  in  the  fields  ;  the  which, 
seeing  so  many  and  diverse  blossoms  on  every 
side,  of  red,  white,  golden  and  all  fair  colours, 
are  fain  for  lack  of  time  to  pluck  those  that 
come  first,  waiting  not  to  order  them  according 
to  their  several  kinds.     And  thus  will  I  do  with 
those  flowers  of  courtesy,  the  miracles  that  God's 
Mother  hath  wrought  for  our  relief. 

Therefore  I  will  now  tell  of  a  merchant  that 
dwelt  in  the  great  city  of  Byzance,  of  whom  it 
is  written  that  he  greatly  loved  Our  Blessed 
Lady.  His  name  was  Theodore.  He  had 
great  wealth  and  honourable  estate,  living  in 
splendour  in  a  right  fair  mansion  of  that  town. 
Every  day  his  house  was  open  to  all  that  came  ; 
and  he  would  have  his  friends  ever  about  him, 
feasting  and  making  merry,  and  gave  great 
largess  to  them  that  asked  it.  Nor  did  he 

109 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  forget  the  poor,  but  made  himself  their  friend, 

Christian  s     and  was  ever  ready  to   relieve   all   that    were 
Sure*y  distressed. 

But  so  quick  was  this  merchant  at  spending, 
and  of  so  liberal  a  mind,  that  at  last  all  his 
wealth  was  done  ;  for  that  he  made  so  many 
gifts  to  his  friends  and  kindred  and  never 
would  send  empty  away  them  that  were  in 
need.  And  at  last  he  was  brought  to  such 
straits  that  he  must  sell  his  lands ;  and  when 
the  gold  he  had  of  them  was  gone  also,  he  set 
himself  to  borrow  of  his  friends.  But  whatever 
they  lent  him  he  straitway  spent  again,  nor 
could  he  refuse  any  that  asked  him  an  alms  ;  so 
that  he  repaid  his  debt  never.  Therefore  it 
came  that  after  a  while  his  friends  would  not 
lend  to  him  any  more,  for  though  he  had 
bestowed  great  benefit  on  them  when  that  he 
was  wealthy,  little  were  they  minded  to  bring 
themselves  to  poverty  for  his  sake.  Verily,  he 
who  borrows  and  pays  not  again  hath  soon  lost 
his  credit ;  yea,  even  though  he  be  King  of 
France. 

Now  was  Theodore  greatly  troubled,  for  he 
was  in  much  poverty  and  knew  not  what  to  do. 
He  could  not  have  his  friends  about  him,  for  he 
might  not  feast  them  ;  nor  could  he  give  to  the 
poor  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  do.  And 
he  was  exceeding  sorrowful  that  he  might  no 
longer  give  to  any  man,  for  he  delighted  in 
liberality.  His  friends  turned  from  him  and 
left  him  solitary,  because  he  had  so  melancholy 
a  mien,  and  that  having  fallen  into  poverty  he 
no 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

could  no  longer  make  them  good  cheer  ;  and  The 

for  this  he  was  in  great  misery.  Christian's 

And  because  it  seemed  that  all  had  forsaken  $urety 
him,  even  God,  and  he  knew  not  what  to  do, 
he  went  at  last  to  a  Jew  that  was  an  usurer, 
named  Abraham,  the  richest  in  Byzance.  And 
he  demanded  of  the  Jew  that  he  should  lend 
him  money,  that  therewith  he  might  go 
trading. 

"  For,"  said  he,  "  all  have  forsaken  me  ; 
friends,  kindred  and  all  those  for  whom  I  have 
given  my  riches,  and  something  I  must  do,  for 
that  I  am  left  in  great  poverty.  But  it  is  known 
that  I  am  a  merchant  of  skill  and  knowledge  ; 
therefore,  if  you  will  lend  me  the  gold  that  I 
need,  so  well  shall  I  cause  it  to  increase  by  my 
trading  that  you  will  get  great  gain  of  it." 

Abraham  said  to  him,  "  This  may  well  be  ; 
and  most  willingly  shall  I  lend  you  all  that 
you  need  if  you  will  give  me  a  surety  for  your 
debt." 

"  Fair  and  sweet  friend,"  replied  Theodore, 
"  if,  as  I  tell  you,  all  have  gone  from  me, 
friends,  servants,  kindred,  and  all  those  to 
whom  I  made  gifts,  how  then  can  I  give  you  a 
surety  ?  For  nought  remains  to  me  in  all  the 
world  save  my  faith  and  my  truth,  the  which  I 
most  willingly  give  you  in  pledge." 

Said  the  Jew,  u  If  this  be  all,  I  can  lend  you 
nothing  ;  for  little  will  faith  and  truth  avail  in 
the  place  of  my  gold,  should  you  lose  it." 

"  Fair  brother,"  said  Theodore,  "  if  indeed  a 
pledge  you  must  have,  then  take  in  surety,  I 

i  ii 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  pray  you,  my  God  in  whom  I  trust,  even  Jesu 

Christian's     Christ  my  Redeemer,  King  of  Kings  and  Lord 
Surety  of  Lords,  Whom  our  most  Blessed  Lady,  ever 

Virgin,  did  bear  to  heal  our  sin.  For  I  will 
swear  to  you,  oh  Abraham  my  friend,  by  God 
and  by  His  dear  and  sweet  Mother  Saint  Mary, 
that  if  I  repay  not  my  debt  on  the  day  that  you 
shall  name  in  the  bond,  then  will  I  give  myself 
wholly  into  your  hands,  that  you  may  sell  my 
body  into  slavery  or  do  with  me  what  you 
will." 

Abraham  replied  to  him,  "  I  believe  not  that 
Jesu  the  Son  of  Mary  was  ever  God  :  but 
because  He  was  a  good  prophet  and  just,  and 
because  you  seem  to  me  a  man  of  honour  and 
good  heart,  I  will  lend  to  you  on  His  image 
and  on  that  of  His  Mother  whatsoever  you 
desire.  And  if  you  make  default,  then  shall 
you  be  my  chattel,  and  I  shall  sell  you  into 
bondage  for  the  repayment  of  your  debt." 

On  these  words,  the  merchant  and  the  usurer 
went  together  to  the  church  of  the  Virgin  Mary 
that  was  in  that  city,  and  there  in  the  presence 
of  many  witnesses,  both  Jew  and  Christian, 
clerk  and  lay,  Theodore  fell  on  his  face  before 
the  image  of  Our  Dolorous  Lady  that  was 
therein,  that  holds  her  crucified  Son  upon  her 
knees  and  shows  His  wounds  to  all  the  world  ; 
and  he  cried  to  her  with  tears,  saying  : 

"  Most  merciful  Lady,  because  my  poverty 
is  great,  I  have  now  no  other  helper  left  but 
you :  but  I  know  that  you  are  the  friend  of  the 
poor,  and  therefore  in  you  and  in  your  Son  I 

112 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

do  put  all  my  trust.    And  I  make  my  prayer  to  The 
you,  that  you  will  help  me,  and  will  intercede   Christian's 
with  Him  that  He  may  be  surety  for  this  my  Surety 
debt." 

Then  when  he  had  made  this  orison,  he  stood 
up,  and  took  the  hand  of  the  Crucified  Whom 
Our  Lady  held  in  her  arms,  and  said  : 

"  Friend  Abraham,  here  is  my  pledge  :  for 
by  the  help  of  our  glorious  Lady,  I  give  you 
as  gage  her  Son  Jesu  Christ,  Who  did  make  and 
create  me,  and  by  His  Death  did  deliver  me 
from  Hell.  Better  pledge  you  could  not  have ; 
for  thus  hath  God  Himself  become  my  surety." 

Thereon  he  did  place  the  wounded  hand  of 
Our  Lord  within  that  of  the  Jew,  that  the 
pledge  might  be  duly  sworn;  and  when  he  had 
so  done  he  kneeled  down  anew,  and  again  made 
his  prayer  to  Our  Lady,  saying : 

"  Most  dear  and  holy  Virgin,  Queen  of 
Heaven,  in  the  name  of  your  Son  my  Lord  and 
God,  Who  lies  here  wounded  for  my  sake,  I  do 
most  heartily  entreat  your  aid.  Behold,  I  have 
given  your  Son's  image  in  pledge  for  the  moneys 
that  this  usurer  hath  lent  me,  for  indeed  He 
died  to  be  surety  for  us  all.  Therefore  I  do 
beseech  you,  that  if  by  any  impediment  I  cannot 
return  to  this  city  and  render  to  this  Jew  his 
gold  on  the  day  that  shall  be  appointed  in  the 
bond,  and  I  do  render  the  said  moneys  back  to 
you  at  the  place  where  then  I  am,  you  will 
acquit  me  before  my  creditor  and  give  to  him 
his  gold  again." 

Then  when  he  had  so  said,  he  saluted  Our 

H  113 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Lady's  image  with  exceeding  great  reverence; 

Christian's     and  he  went  from  the  church,  and  the  Jew  with 
Surety  ^im,  tjlat  frQ  m\ght  have  his  loan.     And  when 

all  was  done,  and  Abraham  had  paid  to  him  the 
gold  that  he  needed,  Theodore  let  buy  a  ship, 
and  much  merchandise  wherewith  he  laded  it. 
Then  did  he  adventure  forth  with  God  to 
strange  countries,  where  he  traded  the  goods 
that  he  had  with  much  profit,  and  without  delay 
bought  others  to  sell  again,  by  the  which  he 
had  great  gain.  Thus  he  prospered  and  grew 
rich ;  nor  did  he  forget  to  render  to  the  poor 
usury  on  that  wealth  which  God  had  restored  to 
him,  but  remembering  the  days  of  his  poverty 
he  was  compassionate  of  their  distress. 

And  trading  in  this  manner,  he  travelled  into 
distant  countries  that  were  far  from  the  city  of 
Byzance;  and  the  years  passed,  till  at  last  that 
time  was  come  which  Abraham  the  Jew  had 
appointed  for  the  repayment  of  his  debt.  And 
when  that  this  term  was  but  one  day  off,  of  a 
sudden  Theodore  remembered  it;  for  indeed 
the  matter  had  passed  altogether  from  his  mind. 
And  he  thought  on  his  bond,  and  how  that  he 
had  sworn  to  be  sold  into  slavery  if  that  he 
failed  of  his  obligation.  And  greatly  was  he 
grieved  because  the  time  was  so  short  and  he 
could  in  no  wise  return  to  Byzance  by  the 
appointed  day ;  for  he  lay  with  his  ship  in  the 
haven  of  Alexandria. 

So,  being  in  great  despair,  he  went  into  a 
church  of  that  city,  and  there  he  did  throw 
himself  upon  the  ground  before  the  image  of 
114 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  Mary,  beating  his  breast  and  making  his  The 
bitter  complaint.  Christian's 

"  Alas !  "  he  cried,  "  Sweet  Queen  of  Angels,  Surety 
most  compassionate  Lady,  I  am  undone!  for 
surely  the  Devil  has  deceived  me,  thus  to  make 
me  forget  the  day  of  payment.  Now  must  I 
go  into  bondage,  as  I  did  swear  by  your  Son's 
image  that  I  would  do  ;  for  though  I  had  the 
wings  of  a  dove,  yet  could  I  not  come  to 
Byzance  from  the  place  where  I  am  till  that  the 
appointed  time  has  long  been  past." 

Then  did  Our  Blessed  Lady  come  to  the  aid 
of  Theodore  her  servant,  and  she  put  into  his 
heart  a  remembrance  of  the  prayer  that  he  had 
made  to  her,  what  time  he  had  borrowed  the 
money  on  the  surety  of  her  Son.  Then  he 
cried  out,  and  said: 

"  How  greatly  foolish  am  I  thus  to  trouble 
myself  concerning  the  matter  of  this  debt! 
Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  did  He  not  die  for  me 
upon  the  Rood  ?  Hath  not  His  glorious 
Mother  an  infinite  pity  for  all  that  believe  on 
His  Name  ?  Whilst  this  surety  I  have,  who 
can  destroy  me  ?  Truly,  I  have  but  to  render 
to  her  here  the  money  I  have  borrowed ;  and  if 
it  please  her  she  will  give  it  back  to  the  Jew, 
even  according  to  my  desire." 

Then  without  delay  Theodore  got  him  a 
little  casket,  wherein  he  enclosed  the  whole  of 
his  debt,  and  locked  it  securely.  And  he  went 
to  the  sea  shore  and  there  did  commit  the 
casket  to  the  waters,  recommending  it  to  the 
care  of  Him  by  Whom  both  land  and  sea  were 

"5 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  made,  and  to  His  dear   Mother   Saint  Mary, 

Christian's     Stella   Maris,    Auxilium    Christianorum.      And 

Surety  of  ^\s   ^e   hac[  great   consolation,  for  now  he 

knew  that  his  fortunes  lay   altogether    in  the 

hands  of  Our  Lord  and  Our  Lady,  than  whom 

no  man  has  better  help. 

Oh  marvellous  goodness  of  God  !  In  that 
same  night  the  casket  did  safely  pass  the  waves 
of  the  great  ocean,  and  came  before  the  house 
of  Abraham  the  Jew,  where  he  dwelt  by  the 
sea  shore  in  the  city  of  Byzance,  that  was  many 
leagues  away.  And  it  happened,  that  the 
servant  of  this  Abraham  issued  forth  from  his 
house  in  early  morning,  and  he  saw  the  little 
casket  floating  near  shore.  Therefore  did  he 
advance  to  take  it,  for  it  was  fairly  wrought 
and  he  coveted  it  greatly ;  and  he  wondered  to 
see  it  floating  thus  upon  the  sea.  But  behold  ! 
as  he  approached,  the  casket  did  draw  back; 
and  whichever  way  he  went  to  take  it,  still  it 
retreated  before  him.  And  the  servant,  mar- 
velling greatly  that  it  beguiled  him  thus,  called 
his  master  that  he  might  see  the  miracle. 

Then  did  Abraham  come  without  delay,  and 
saw  the  casket  that  floated  near  the  shore  beyond 
his  reach.  But  when  he  came  near  it,  greatly 
was  he  astonished,  for  forthwith  the  waves 
brought  it  to  his  feet :  so  that  he  stretched  forth 
his  hand  and  took  it  without  difficulty,  and  he 
carried  it  into  his  house.  Then,  when  he  was 
alone,  he  opened  it  discreetly,  and  there  did  he 
find  the  gold  that  Theodore  had  placed  therein, 
even  the  amount  he  had  lent  him  :  but  he  knew 
116 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

not  that   this  was  the  quittance   of  that  debt.   The 
Therefore  he  was  exceeding  joyous,  accounting   Christian's 
it  treasure  trove ;  and  he  took  the  money,  and  Surety 
the  empty  casket  he  put  at  the  foot  of  his  bed. 
But  he  told  the  matter  to  none. 

And  after  many  weeks,  Theodore  the  mer- 
chant came  back  to  Byzance  with  all  the  riches 
that  he  had  gathered  in  foreign  lands :  and 
because  he  had  been  fortunate,  his  friends  made 
him  welcome,  and  feasted  him  and  had  great  joy 
of  his  return.  When  Abraham  the  Jew  heard 
of  this  he  was  exceeding  wrath,  and  he  went, 
and  sought  out  Theodore  without  delay  :  and 
when  he  saw  him,  how  prosperous  he  was,  he 
looked  on  him  very  severely,  saying  : 

"  Alas !  Theodore,  meseemeth  you  are  a 
true  Christian  :  for  you  come  to  us  in  your 
need,  but  when  that  you  are  prosperous  you 
repay  us  not  again." 

Then  did  the  merchant  begin  to  smile,  for  he 
knew  himself  to  be  secure  ;  and  he  said,  "  What 
mean  you  ?  " 

Abraham  replied,  <c  I  lent  you  of  my  goods  all 
that  you  desired,  that  you  might  trade  with 
them  and  restore  your  fortunes  for  that  you 
had  come  to  poverty.  And  you  gave  me  your 
troth,  that  if  by  one  day  you  exceeded  the 
time  of  repayment,  then  should  you  be  my 
man,  that  I  should  sell  you  into  bondage.  And 
behold,  the  term  that  was  appointed  is  already 
long  past  ;  nor  have  you  done  aught  to  repay 
me." 

Then  said  Theodore,   "  I  owe  you  nought ; 

117 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  for  on  the  day  that  was  appointed  I  did  repay 

Christian's     the  whole  of  my  debt." 

Surety  Abraham  answered,  "  Christian,  these  words 

avail  you  nought ;  for  I  have  many  witnesses 
that  will  testify  of  the  money  that  I  lent  you, 
but  you  can  have  no  evidence  of  this  repayment 
of  which  you  boast.  Therefore  you  may  not 
deny  your  obligation." 

"I  have,"  said  Theodore,  "  that  Lady  for 
witness,  whose  Son  I  did  make  surety  of  my 
debt.  And  by  her  I  will  testify  to  you,  if  it  be 
necessary,  that  1  have  sent  you  safely  all  moneys 
that  you  did  lend." 

Now  at  this,  because  the  merchant  was  ob- 
durate, Abraham  was  greatly  wrath ;  and  he 
replied  to  him  that  this  thing  he  could  neither 
prove  nor  do.  And  so  high  the  words  mounted 
between  them,  that  at  last  they  must  go  to  the 
church  where  the  pledge  was  given,  there  to 
settle  their  dispute  :  and  great  company  of 
people  went  with  them,  for  the  matter  had 
been  noised  abroad  in  their  neighbourhood. 
Then,  having  come  to  the  church,  Theodore, 
for  that  he  did  put  all  his  trust  in  God  and 
Our  Lady,  went,  and  kneeled  down  right 
humbly  before  the  image  of  the  Crucified  in  His 
Mother's  arms,  Whom  before  he  had  given  as 
his  pledge.  And  he  prayed  with  all  his  heart  to 
Our  Dolorous  Lady  that  she  would  have  com- 
passion on  him,  and  incline  her  Son  to  his  relief. 
And  he  cried  saying : 

"  Sweet  Lady,  Saint  Mary,  who  didst  bear  in 
maidenhood  my  Lord  and  God,  I  humbly  be- 
118 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

seech  you    to  hear  me    to-day,  that  am    your  The 
very  faithful  child  and  poor  servant.      And  I  Christian'* 
entreat,  most    glorious    Lady,  sith    that    your  Surety 
Son  whom  you    hold    is  most  truly  God    my 
Redeemer,    my    surety    and    my    pledge,    that 
you  will  bear  witness  of  the  truth  before  this 
Jew  that  would  destroy  me  :  to  wit,  that  I  did 
render  back  again  the  moneys  that  he  lent." 

Then,  to  the  great  amazement  of  all  that 
were  in  the  church,  the  image  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  replied  to  the  prayer  of  Theodore  the 
merchant :  and  it  said,  so  loud  and  clear  that 
all  who  were  present  might  hear  it : 

"  I  am  witness  indeed  that  you  have  sent  to 
this  Jew  the  gold  that  he  did  lend,  even  on 
the  day  he  ordained.  And  good  proof  hath  he 
got,  for  the  casket  wherein  you  did  place  his 
gold  lies  even  now  at  the  foot  of  his  bed." 

When  Abraham  the  Jew  heard  Our  Lady 
thus  speak,  he  was  greatly  afraid  ;  for  now  it 
came  into  his  mind  that  this  casket  indeed  had 
come  to  him  on  the  waters  on  the  day  he  had 
ordained  to  the  merchant  for  repayment  of  his 
debt ;  and  none  save  himself  knew  that  gold 
had  been  therein,  nor  yet  where  he  had  bestowed 
it.  Therefore,  being  brought  to  an  exceeding 
fear  of  God's  judgments,  he  did  let  know  pub- 
licly that  he  had  indeed  found  his  moneys  in 
that  casket,  the  which  by  a  miracle  had  been 
brought  to  his  door  :  and  because  of  this 
marvel  he  was  converted  to  our  holy  Faith, 
and  was  baptized,  he  and  all  his  family.  And 
in  remembrance  of  this  favour  that  the  Queen 

119 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  of  Angels  did  for  Theodore  her  servant,   each 

Christian's     year  upon  the  day  wherein  she  did  witness  for 
Surety  fam  fa^y  jo  sjng  caro]s  anj  hold  solemn  vigil 

in  the  Church  of  Our  Lady  that  is  in  the  city 
of  Byzance.  The  which  city  the  mighty  Em- 
peror Constantine,  of  great  and  noble  memory, 
did  afterwards  cause  to  be  called  in  his  name, 
Constantinople. 


120 


OUR  LADY  OF  THE 
TOURNAMENT 


HERE  WE  TELL  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
BLESSED  WALTER  OF  BIRBECH,  AND  HOW 
THE  VIRGIN  MARY  HONOURED  HIM  IN  THE 
LISTS 

IN  Germany  there  lived  a  certain  noble  knight,  Our  Lady 
that  had  to  name  Sir  Walter  of  Birbech  :  vfthe 
he  was  a  right  powerful  lord  of  that  land,  for  he  Tournament 
possessed  much  riches  and  was  beside  a  very  - 
valiant  man.  But  this  knight,  though  all  did 
him  great  honour,  had  a  pious  and  an  humble 
heart  ;  for  all  his  love  was  set  on  things  unseen, 
and  even  from  his  childhood  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  count  himself  above  all  else  the 
friend  and  servant  of  God  and  of  His  Mother, 
Madame  Saint  Mary.  Therefore,  when  that  he 
was  come  to  the  flower  of  his  age,  at  the  which 
time  it  is  the  custom  of  chivalry  to  swear  fealty 
to  some  fair  lady,  whose  gage  one  may  bind 
upon  one's  arm,  and  for  whose  sake  one  may 
tilt  in  the  lists,  jousting  against  all  comers  to 
uphold  her  fame :  then  did  it  seem  to  Sir 
Walter  that  no  better  Queen  of  Love  could  he 
choose  for  his  Mistress  than  the  Virgin  Mother 
of  the  Love  Divine,  to  wit,  Our  Lady,  Queen 
of  Heaven.  And  he  dedicated  himself  altogether 

123 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady     to  the  upholding  of  her  honour,   and  dubbed 
of  the  himself    her    liege    servant    and    very    faithful 

Tournament  knight  .    taking  her  devicC)  that  is  the  lily  flower> 

to  set  upon  his  pennon  and  his  shield,  and  bind- 
ing about  his  arm  her  favour,  that  is  a  scarf  of 
blue  exceeding  fair.  Great  joy  did  he  have  of 
this  devotion,  as  all  that  Lady's  lovers  do ;  and 
he  fasted  and  gave  alms  that  he  might  make 
himself  more  worthy  of  his  Mistress,  every  day 
hearing  her  Mass  if  he  might  contrive  it.  And 
thus  in  the  secret  places  of  his  heart  he  greatly 
increased  in  her  love. 

Now  on  a  certain  time  it  was  decreed  and 
proclaimed  that  a  great  tourney  should  be  held 
in  a  castle  of  that  land.  Thither  would  Sir 
Walter  go  with  many  knights  and  squires  of  his 
company  to  do  battle  for  his  Lady's  fame  :  for 
verily  all  his  heart  was  given  to  the  worship  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  so  that  she  seemed  to  him 
the  fairest  Maid  and  most  noble  Mistress  knight 
could  desire,  and  whensoever  he  dreamed  of 
womanhood,  then  that  Queen  of  Women  came 
into  his  mind.  Therefore,  having  made  himself 
ready,  he  set  out  for  this  tournament  on  the  day 
that  was  ordained,  having  with  him  his  esquire 
and  divers  knights  of  his  meinie,  that  would  join 
in  the  jousts.  And  it  was  Saturday,  the  which 
day  is  most  specially  dedicate  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary. 

And  it  happened  that  their  road  passed  by  a 
certain  Abbey,  that  was  consecrated  in  the  name 
of  the  Mother  of  God  :  and  it  was  very  early  in 
the  morning,  being  close  upon  the  hour  of 
124 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Prime.     And  when  Sir  Walter  saw  this  abbey-  Our  Lady 

church,  he,  knowing  that  very  surely  the  Mass  of  the 

of  his  Lady  was  at  that  time  sung  therein,  did   Tournament 

exhort  his  companions  with  exceeding  fervour 

that  they   should   enter  and  hear  Mass  before 

they  went  into  the  lists. 

"  For  it  may  be,"  he  said,  "  that  we  shall  this 
day  lose  our  lives,  and  then  we  may  never  again 
do  this  devoir  for  the  Queen  of  Heaven  ;  and 
moreover  this  is  Saturday,  that  is  the  day 
whereon  all  her  friends  should  do  her  worship  if 
they  can." 

But  the  knights  his  companions  refused  him, 
saying,  "It  grows  late,  and  if  we  loiter  we  shall 
but  arrive  when  the  tourney  is  at  an  end. 
Therefore  tarry  not  for  this  office  this  morning, 
for  indeed  there  is  danger  in  delay." 

Saith  Sir  Walter,  "  Natheless  I  will  go  in  ; 
for  never  did  faithful  knight  come  to  misfortune 
for  any  courtesy  he  did  to  the  Lady  of  his 
desire." 

Then  he  entered  into  the  church,  that  was 
very  great,  having  several  fair  chapels  and  altars 
therein  :  and  at  one  of  the  said  altars  a  priest 
was,  that  said  with  his  clerk  the  Mass  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  Thither  Sir  Walter  went,  and 
kneeled  down  upon  the  ground  right  humbly, 
that  he  might  have  the  benefits  of  that  most 
sweet  and  piteous  miracle  whereby  the  Lady 
Mary's  Son  is  brought  anew  into  the  world. 

But  or  ever  this  Mass  was  ended,  came  a 
priest  to  another  altar,  and  there  began  to  say 
the  Introit  of  Our  Lady,  that  is  the  "  Salve,  sancta 

125 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady     Parens."     Then  did    Sir  Walter  think  within 

tfth*  himself,  c'  Verily,  it  would  be  greatly  discour- 

Tournament 


church 

whiles  that  my  Lady's  Mass  is  being  said. 
Rather  must  I  wait  till  this  one  be  finished,  and 
so  soon  as  the  Ite  is  come  I  will  go  out  right 
quickly  and  haste  me  to  the  tourney  lest  I  be 
too  late." 

But  when  the  second  Mass  was  nearly  over, 
came  the  Lord  Abbot  to  recite  his  confiteor 
before  the  High  Altar  that  was  in  the  midst  of 
the  choir  ;  for  it  was  the  pious  custom  of  this 
abbey  to  honour  Our  Lady  each  Saturday  with 
so  many  Masses  as  they  might.  And  one 
following  another  as  quickly  as  could  be,  Sir 
Walter  left  not  his  devotion,  but  heard  each 
right  humbly  to  the  end  :  for  he  held  it  but 
unknightly  to  break  by  his  departure  this 
pageant  of  worship  which  so  sweetly  honoured 
the  Lady  that  he  loved. 

Then  when  at  last  the  Masses  were  done  and 
the  clerks  gone  out  of  the  choir,  he  went  out 
from  the  church  and  pursued  after  his  comrades 
as  quickly  as  he  could  :  and  now  the  morning 
was  well-nigh  spent,  but  he  knew  it^  not,  for 
short  had  seemed  the  time  whilst  he  made  his 
orisons.  And  when  he  drew  near  to  the  castle 
where  the  tourneying  should  be,  there  he  met 
many  knights  all  armed  for  the  lists  that  came 
from  it. 

Then  he  hailed  them,  and  said,  "  What  !  is 
not  the  jousting  yet  begun  ?  " 

They  answered,  u  Yea,  and  is  long  since 
126 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

over,  for  it  is  close  on  noon,  and  we  go  home-  Our  Lady 
wards."  rfthe 

And    he,    greatly   vexed    because    of   his     ill   Tournament 
fortune,  said,  "  Who  has  prevailed  ?  " 

Replied  these  gentlemen,  "  Sir  Walter  of 
Birbech,  a  most  fair  and  valiant  knight  ;  and 
indeed  his  name  is  in  all  men's  mouths,  for  he 
carried  all  before  him." 

Then  was  Sir  Walter  full  of  amazement,  for 
he  could  not  understand  how  this  might  be  : 
howsoever  he  went  on  his  way  to  that  place 
where  the  tourney  was,  and  there  he  entered 
into  his  pavilion  that  was  set  upon  the  field  and 
made  him  ready  ;  putting  on  his  armour  that 
was  bound  about  the  arm-piece  with  the  gage  of 
blue  stuff  that  he  wore  for  his  Lady's  sake,  and 
taking  his  shield  whereon  was  blazoned  her  lily 
flower.  Then  he  went  forth  into  the  field  :  but 
the  joust  was  altogether  done,  as  those  knights 
he  met  upon  the  way  had  said,  and  the  ladies 
were  gone  from  the  galleries  and  the  heralds 
from  the  lists.  Natheless,  much  folk  yet  there 
was,  that  spoke  upon  the  fortunes  of  the  day ; 
and  so  soon  as  Sir  Walter  was  come  into  the 
ground,  behold  divers  knights  that  were  there 
armed  cap-a-pie  separated  themselves  from  this 
company,  and  came,  and  set  themselves  before 
him  exceeding  humbly,  and  begged  of  him  that 
he  would  be  pleased  to  show  them  mercy  and 
use  them  courteously. 

Then  said  Sir  Walter,  "  Fair  sirs,  I  know  not 
of  what  you  speak  nor  what  may  be  the  cause  of 
your  petition." 

127 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady          Said  the  knights,  "  Know  you  not  that  this 
of  the  day  you  have  overcome  us  in  the  lists ;  wherefore 

Tournament  we  are  every  one  vour  prisoners  according  to  the 
law  of  chivalry  ?  Therefore  we  make  our  sub- 
mission, and  ask  only  that  you  do  entreat  us 
graciously  and  use  us  well." 

Sir  Walter  replied,  "  My  sweet  friends,  here 
is  some  error  ;  for  very  surely  I  have  neither 
jousted  with  you  nor  overcome  you  this  day." 

"  Nay,"  said  the  knights  ;  "  but  it  is  a  true 
thing  that  this  day  we  have  given  ourselves  into 
your  hand  :  and  indeed  no  man  could  resist  you, 
so  well  and  fiercely  did  you  tilt.  Never  have 
we  seen  such  marvellous  deeds  of  arms  as  those 
that  you  have  done  in  these  jousts  :  for  wher- 
ever the  press  was  thickest,  there  did  we  see 
your  shield  that  has  the  lily  flower,  and  wherever 
you  went,  good  fortune  went  with  you.  Verily, 
it  seemed  that  some  power  was  with  you  ; 
for  none  might  touch  you,  however  valiant,  and 
no  man,  however  skilled,  went  free  of  your  spear. 
And  no  error  can  there  be,  for  we  heard  your 
voice,  that  cried  perpetually,  Virgo  Vir- 
ginum  !  and  also  Jesu  Maria !  and  likewise 
we  saw  the  blue  gage  that  is  yet  bound  about 
your  arm." 

Then  did  Sir  Walter  fall  down  upon  his 
knees  right  humbly,  giving  thanks  ;  for  he  per- 
ceived that  no  less  an  one  than  his  dear  Mistress, 
that  is  the  very  Mother  of  God,  had  that  day 
upheld  his  honour  in  the  field.  For  whilst  that 
her  knight  did  kneel  before  her  altar  and  there 
do  her  all  the  courtesy  he  could,  that  sweet  Lady 
128 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

did  arm  her  in  his   likeness,  and    ride  to  the  Our  Lady 
tourney  in  his  place.     And  when  he  disclosed  of  the 
the    matter  to    those    knights    his    adversaries,   Tournament 
greatly  were  they  amazed  ;  and  they  cried  mercy, 
one  and  all,  to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  for  that  they 
had  presumed  to  tilt  against  her  spear.     Then 
did  each  embrace  other,  all  weeping  for  glad- 
ness,   and  they  went  altogether  to  the  Abbey 
Churchof  Saint  Mary,  that  there  they  might  give 
thanks. 

And  Sir  Walter  made  offering  of  his  shield 
upon  the  altar,  for  he  knew  that  he  had 
a  better  defender  than  any  earthly  weapon, 
even  that  scutum  fidei  of  which  the  Apostle 
speaks  :  and  he  thanked  his  Lady  very  heartily 
for  this  courtesy  of  hers,  and  swore  ever  to 
keep  spotless  the  pennon  that  she  had  deigned 
to  bear,  and  never  to  use  that  spear  wherewith 
she  had  helped  his  honour  save  for  the  defend- 
ing of  pure  womanhood  or  the  succouring  of 
the  oppressed. 

Now  after  many  years  had  gone,  it  happened 
on  a  certain  high  feast  of  the  glorious  Virgin 
Mary,  that  Sir  Walter  came  with  many  others 
to  a  church  where  her  Mass  was  said.  And 
now  his  age  was  ripe,  and  the  fame  of  his  valour 
and  holiness  was  gone  out  into  many  lands  ; 
whereby  it  was  known  of  all  that  he  was  the 
knight  of  Madame  Saint  Mary,  and  rode  not  save 
in  defence  of  the  just.  But  the  priest  that  said 
this  Mass  was  a  stranger  unto  him,  being  newly 
come  to  the  place,  and  he  knew  not  whom  the 
knight  might  be  to  whom  all  did  so  great  a 

i  129 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady     reverence.     And  behold !  when  he  was  come  to 

of  the  the  sacring  of  the  Blood  of  Christ,  and  raised 

Tournament  the  ^o\y  chalice  from  the  altar  whereon  it  stood, 

that  priest  saw  beneath  the  place  where  the  cup 

had  been,  a  cross  of  pure  gold,  exceeding  rich 

and  fair,  and  therewith  a  cartel  of  vellum  ;  and 

on    the    cartel    there    was    much   writing,  that 

was  in  letters  of  fine  gold  like  to  those  Gospel 

books   that   are   made   for   the   use    of    pious 

kings. 

And  he  took  it  in  his  hand  and  read  it,  and 
these  were  the  words  thereon  :  "  This  holy 
cross  you  shall  bear  on  my  part,  that  am  Mary 
the  Mother  of  Christ,  to  my  dear  friend  and 
servant,  Walter,  knight  of  Birbech  ;  and  for  my 
sake  and  that  of  my  Son,  Whose  sign  and  gage 
it  is,  this  token  he  shall  now  put  on  and  bear 
even  until  the  end  of  his  life,  in  the  place  of 
that  favour  of  blue  that  he  hath  long  worn 
about  his  arm." 

When  this  matter  he  had  read,  the  priest  was 
greatly  amazed ;  but  he  doubted  not  the  truth 
of  it,  for  he  was  a  right  faithful  man.  There- 
fore, being  come  to  the  ending  of  the  Mass,  he 
mounted  into  the  pulpit,  and  cried,  saying  : 
"  Is  there  here  a  knight  that  has  to  name  Sir 
Walter  of  Birbech  ? " 

Then  several  of  them  that  stood  about  Sir 
Walter,  that  knew  him  well,  cried  :  "  This  is 
he,"  and  they  brought  him  to  the  priest,  the 
which  led  him  apart  a  little  way,  that  they 
might  speak  together  privily.  Then  when  they 
were  alone,  that  priest  saith  to  him  : 
130 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

"  Give  thanks,  my    brother,    for  Our  Lady  Our  Lady 
Saint  Mary  is  pleased    to   show   you   a    most  of  the 
sovereign  grace."  Tournamtnt 

Saith  the  knight :  "  This  may  well  be,  for 
the  lovingkindness  of  that  Lady  is  beyond 
aught  that  we  can  understand." 

The  priest  said  to  him  :  <c  Kneel  down  upon 
the  earth,  the  more  fitly  to  receive  the  holy  gift 
that  she  hath  sent  you."  And  when  Sir  Walter 
had  so  done,  he  gave  to  him  the  fair  cross  and 
also  the  cartel,  saying  :  "  Now  have  you  re- 
ceived the  very  gage  of  Jesu  Christ  His  Love, 
even  the  Sign  of  our  salvation." 

Then  did  Sir  Walter  receive  the  cross  with 
exceeding  great  joy,  giving  thanks  upon  his 
knees  in  that  his  glorious  Mistress  had  held 
him  worthy  of  this  gift ;  for  thereby  he  knew 
that  he  was  called  to  an  higher  service  than  that 
of  earthly  warfare — namely,  to  the  very  chivalry 
of  God  and  of  His  saints.  And  being  wholly 
converted  to  thoughts  of  heaven  by  this  high 
mystery  that  the  glorious  Virgin  had  declared 
to  him,  he  did  betake  himself  straitway  to 
the  Abbey  of  Hemmerode  in  that  country  ; 
and  there  he  made  offering  of  Our  Lady's  cross 
upon  the  altar,  and  took  the  habit  of  religion 
according  to  the  Rule  of  Citeaux.  Many  years 
did  he  live  in  that  brotherhood,  in  God's  fear 
and  much  gladness,  and  great  and  arduous 
battle  did  wage  against  the  Enemy  in  hell,  the 
which  is  doughty  foe  for  any  knight.  Many 
wonders  did  he  also  by  Saint  Mary's  grace,  that 
here  were  too  long  to  set  in  writing,  and  the 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady     Order  of  Citeaux  had  great  honour  because  of 

of  the  the  sanctity  of  his  life. 

Tournament  And  when  he  was  come  to  a  great  age,  being 
full  of  faith  and  of  charitable  works,  contrite 
though  holy,  for  he  knew  that  nought  he  might 
compass  could  make  him  worthy  of  his  Mis- 
tress* love,  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God  was 
pleased  to  call  him  to  herself.  And  by  her  safe 
conduct,  that  had  vanquished  alike  his  temporal 
and  his  spiritual  foes,  he  did  pass  from  darkness 
unto  light,  from  labour  to  rest,  from  warfare  to 
reward  ;  from  this  world's  tournament  to  the 
pleasaunce  of  his  heavenly  home.  Whereto  we 
do  pray  one  and  all  that  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ, 
that  is  the  Lady  Mary's  Son,  may  lead  us  : 

Qui  EST  VIA  IN  EXEMPLO,  VERITAS  IN  PROMISSO,  VITA 
IN  PRAEMIO,     AMEN. 


132 


THE  VIRGIN'S  BRIDEGROOM 


AND  HEREIN  THE  HISTORY  OF  A  CERTAIN 
CHILD  THAT  BETROTHED  HIMSELF  TO  THE 
IMAGE  OF  OUR  LADY 

THERE  was  in  the  old  time  a  great  lord,  The 
a  prince  duke  or  count,  that  was  rich  and  Virgin's 
powerful,  having  the  governance  of  many  lands.  Bridegroom 
And  he  was  the  king's  kinsman,  and  had  to  wife 
a  most  noble  lady,  the  which  was  of  good  renown 
in  that  country  because  she  led  an  holy  life  and 
was  the  friend  of  God.  One  son  she  bore  him, 
and  reared  him  in  Christls  brotherhood  to  the 
age  of  ten  years  ;  and  he  was  a  fair  and  well- 
spoken  child,  so  that  his  father  loved  him  well, 
as  much  and  more  than  fathers  are  wont  to  love 
their  sons.  He  made  him  to  learn  all  scholar- 
ship, and  his  mother  bred  him  in  all  piety  ;  nor 
was  there  ever  a  day  in  which  the  boy  said  not 
the  Hours  of  Our  Lady  if  he  could,  for  this  he 
loved  to  do.  And  there  was  a  chapel  close 
against  his  father's  house  where  this  good  child 
could  serve  the  glorious  Virgin  :  there  he  went 
with  his  schoolmaster  each  day  to  make  his 
orisons. 

Now  there  was  in  this  chapel  a  most  fair  image 
of  Saint  Mary,  that  was  of  a  woman's  height, 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  and  so  richly  painted  that  it  seemed  no  carven 

Virgin's  image  but  a  living  thing  ;  and  the  child  loved  it. 
Bridegroom  When  he  found  himself  alone  there,  as  some- 
times chanced,  he  would  go  to  the  feet  of  that 
Lady,  and  would  pray  to  her  with  great  devo- 
tion, and  tell  her  all  he  did,  and  ask  her  love  : 
and  the  day  that  he  did  not  thus  draw  near  her, 
there  to  say  his  prayers,  he  had  neither  joy  nor 
good  courage.  Of  a  surety  it  became  to  him  all 
his  life  and  all  his  comfort  thus  to  do,  so  that 
he  wished  to  make  of  her  his  Mistress  and  his 
Queen,  and  to  speak  with  her  and  she  with  him, 
as  Mistress  and  servant  may  do  :  for  so  it  is 
with  children  when  they  love.  Thus  it  was  that 
as  he  grew  in  age  and  understanding,  he  ever 
redoubled  his  ardour  towards  her  :  and  he  was 
her  faithful  servant  and  very  loyal  page,  but 
none  knew  it,  neither  his  parents  nor  his  school- 
master, for  he  hid  his  devotion  discreetly. 

And  it  happened,  that  one  day  this  child  went 
alone  to  that  chapel  ;  and  there  he  knelt  down 
full  gladly,  and  prayed  devoutly  and  with  all 
his  heart  that  he  might  have  Our  Lady's  grace 
and  ever  serve  her.  Then  that  dear  and 
honoured  Lady,  because  she  knew  him  how 
constant  he  was  and  how  desirous  of  her  grace, 
and  that  he  was  yet  a  pure  and  clean  virgin,  the 
which  she  greatly  loves,  began  to  call  the  child 
by  the  mouth  of  her  image.  And  she  said, 

"My  sweet  friend,  doubt  not.  Because  that 
you  have  warmly  loved  me,  very  surely  all  that 
you  desire  shall  come  to  pass." 

Now  at  this  the  child  began  to  tremble,  for 
136 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

he  was   frightened,  hearing   the   image  speak  :  The 
he  was  not  more  than   eleven  years   old.     But  Virgin^ 
presently   for   his   encouragement,    Our    Lady  Bridegroom 
spoke  to  him  again  ;    and    now  her  voice  was 
sweeter  than  honey,  so  that  none  might  resist 
it. 

And  she  said,  "  Have  no  fear,  little  brother, 
but  rather  let  your  heart  be  full  of  joy  ;  for 
my  Son  has  for  my  sake  granted  your  prayer, 
that  you  should  know  me  what  I  am,  and  there- 
fore I  may  speak  with  you  by  the  mouth  of  this 
image.  And  for  this  cause  you  must  not  doubt 
nor  be  afraid  ;  neither  of  me  nor  of  any  other 
thing.  For  I  love  you  more  than  I  love  my- 
self, and  surely  I  will  protect  you." 

"  Hahay,  most  sweet  Lady,"  said  the  child, 
"  what  is  this  that  you  have  said  ?  It  is  not 
possible  that  you  love  me  more  than  you  love 
yourself.  Very  surely  I  love  you  exceeding 
well  ;  for  I  come  every  morning  and  evening  to 
pray  before  your  image  without  fail.  But  you 
love  me  not  at  all,  for  you  speak  to  me  never, 
though  I  have  often  asked  it ;  neither  do  you 
show  me  such  kindness  as  my  father  and  mother 
have  done,  the  which  I  have  desired  of  you 
greatly." 

When  the  Queen  of  Angels  heard  this  child 
so  loving  and  so  ardent  towards  her,  she  was 
minded  to  test  him,  for  she  wished  to  have  his 
love.  Therefore  said  she,  "  Tell  me  the  truth, 
in  what  manner  and  how  greatly  you  do  love 
me.  Take  care  that  you  lie  not ;  for  if  you  do 
this,  of  a  surety  I  shall  know  it  well." 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  "  Lady,"  he  said,  "  I  love  you  more  than  I 

Virgin's  love  my  father  or  my  mother  or  myself." 
Bridegroom  u  Mv  fairest  friend,"  said  she,  "  now  I  see 
that  indeed  you  love  me  without  fantasy ;  there- 
fore I  will  have  you  to  know  that  I  have  set  my 
love  upon  you  also,  and  so  greatly  that  I  am 
jealous  to  have  you.  Now  look  at  me  well,  and 
consider  whether  I  please  you,  that  you  may  not 
make  a  bargain  of  which  you  will  repent.  Am 
I  as  fair  and  as  queenly  as  you  would  that  your 
sweetheart  should  be  ?  " 

Then  the  Mother  of  God  did  illuminate  that 
image  with  her  gracious  presence,  till  it  shone 
with  so  great  a  glory  that  no  tongue  could  ex- 
press it.  And  it  was  very  old,  for  it  had  been 
in  that  place  an  hundred  years,  yet  now  it  seemed 
to  the  child  new-made  and  exceeding  fair,  for  it 
shone  with  that  light  which  dwells  in  the  Empy- 
rean Heaven,  the  which  makes  all  things  new. 

And  the  Blessed  Virgin  spoke  by  its  mouth 
and  said  to  him,  "  Fair  and  dear  boy,  are  you 
willing  to  take  for  yourself  so  sweet  a  woman- 
friend  as  this,  that  will  be  with  you  all  your  life 
to  your  comfort,  and  in  death  will  stand  by  you 
to  save  your  soul  ?" 

"  Hahay,  Lady,"  said  the  child.  "  I  ask  no 
other  Paradise." 

"Draw  near,  then,"  said  the  image,  "and  give 
me  your  hand  and  your  troth,  in  token  that  you 
will  have  no  other  espoused  wife  but  me.  For 
in  you  is  that  treasure  of  virginity  which  I  greatly 
love.  Therefore  I  do  desire  to  preserve  it ;  and 
to  bring  you,  by  this  troth  that  we  shall  make, 

138 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

a  clean  maiden  to  Heaven,  there  to  receive  the  The 
crown  that  is  laid  up  for  them  that  will  love  me  Virgin's 
with  a  pure  love.     Verily  that  crown  is  exceeding  Bridegroom 
fair,  and  great  is  the  joy  of  those   that  shall 
wear  it." 

"  Lady/'  answered  the  child,  "  I  shall  do 
nought  that  can  deface  your  love ;  and  I  promise 
you  that  I  will  love  you  while  I  live,  and  will 
take  no  other  sweetheart,  nor  wed  no  other  wife 
— no,  not  though  I  should  lose  my  life  for  it." 

u  My  friend,"  said  she,  "  come  now  and 
kiss  me ;  and  I  will  give  you  my  hand  in  troth/' 

Then  did  the  little  boy  draw  near  to  the 
image,  the  which  reached  out  her  hand  and  gave 
it  to  him,  and  he  kissed  it  three  times,  weeping 
because  of  the  great  joy  that  he  had  ;  for  now 
his  heart  was  filled  with  a  marvellous  happiness, 
being  uplifted  by  the  love  divine.  And  when  he 
had  so  done,  Our  Lady  took  her  hand  from  him 
and  said, 

"  Fair  sweet  friend,  now  must  you  make  good 
cheer,  for  I  am  your  Bride  that  is  duly  affianced, 
and  my  love  is  always  with  you.  Remember 
me  ever,  for  now  we  may  no  longer  talk 
together.  I  go  my  way,  and  do  commend  vou 
to  the  care  of  God." 

And  presently  the  child's  schoolmaster  came 
to  the  chapel,  and  found  him  kneeling  before 
the  image  of  Saint  Mary ;  and  he  saw  that  he  had 
been  crying.  But  the  child  told  him  nought  of 
what  had  chanced,  neither  then  nor  afterward, 
but  kept  all  that  had  happened  very  closely. 
And  he  was  of  good  cheer,  as  his  Sweetheart 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  had  bidden  him  to  be,  returning  often  to  her 

Virgin's         chapel,  that  he  might  be  with  her  image  that  he 

Bridegroom    loved.     In  this  was  all  his  joy,  for  though  he 

never  heard  her  voice  again,  he  knew  that  there 

she  was  with  him. 

But  his  father,  that  was  a  very  valiant  lord, 
more  apt  in  the  exercise  of  arms  than  in  the 
making  of  orisons,  marvelled  greatly  where  his 
son  went  so  often  ;  for  he  would  never  ride  to 
hawking  nor  to  the  tournament,  though  he  was 
a  brave  and  graceful  child,  but  would  be  always 
about  his  secret  business,  that  was,  though  they 
knew  it  not,  the  service  of  his  heavenly  Friend. 
And  his  father  was  displeased  at  it,  for  he  would 
have  his  son  expert  in  chivalry  and  deeds  of 
war.  Therefore  when  he  was  gone  fifteen  years, 
and  kept  still  these  habits  of  devotion,  going 
little  abroad  and  refusing  himself  to  all  feasting 
and  merriment,  for  that  he  had  an  inner  and  a 
secret  joy,  it  came  into  the  thoughts  of  that 
seigneur  his  father  that  it  were  best  that  the  boy 
be  married  as  quickly  as  might  be,  for  then  his 
wife  would  shame  him  from  his  foolishness.  So 
he  did  send  and  let  make  great  search,  with 
intent  to  find  some  fair  and  discreet  maiden  of 
good  lineage ;  and  at  last  he  discovered  one,  that 
was  damoiselle  at  the  court  of  the  king.  So 
there  would  he  go  with  the  child,  that  the  mar- 
riage might  take  place  without  delay. 

But  when  the  boy  heard  of  it  he  was  full  of 
grief  and  fear  ;  for  he  knew  that  he  might  not 
do  this  thing,  because  he  had  given  his  troth  to 
an  heavenly  Bride.  And  indeed,  for  the  love 
140 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

that  he  had  of  her,  he  was  most  firmly  deter-  The 
mined  against  it,  and  so  did  he  say  ;  but  his 
father  was  set  upon  the  marriage,  and  would 
not  hear  him.  Therefore,  when  the  day  of  de- 
parture came,  the  child,  that  knew  not  how  else 
he  might  keep  his  loyalty,  hid  himself  in  secret ; 
and  great  search  was  made  for  him  through  the 
demesne,  but  at  the  last  he  was  discovered. 
Then  did  his  father  curse  him  and  threaten  him, 
for  now  he  was  exceeding  wrath.  And  he  took 
the  boy  and  brought  him  by  force  to  the  king's 
palace,  and  to  the  damoiselle  whom  he  should 
wed ;  for  which  cause  many  laughed  and  mocked, 
to  see  so  unwilling  a  bridegroom  brought  to 
church.  And  there  was  great  company  of 
knights  and  ladies  assembled  for  the  marriage  ; 
and  these  came  with  the  child  and  his  parents 
to  the  chapel  where  the  wedding  should  be. 
There  was  also  the  damoiselle,  and  she  was  ex- 
ceeding fair  of  body,  young  and  gay.  And  the 
bishop  and  his  clerks  were  there,  that  should 
say  the  nuptial  Mass. 

Then  said  the  bishop :  "  Fair  friend,  tell  me 
truly,  will  you  have  this  woman  to  be  your 
wife?" 

"  Of  a  surety,  sir,"  said  the  child,  "  I  will  not. 
For  nothing  in  the  whole  world  will  I  wed  any 
woman,  for,  indeed,  I  had  rather  lose  my  life 
than  do  it." 

"Believe  it  not,"  said  the  father.  "He  is 
but  ashamed  before  his  sweetheart,  whom  he 
sees  here  so  fair  and  debonnair.  It  is  the  way  of 
children ;  therefore  take  no  heed  of  his  words." 

141 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  And  he  took  the  boy,  who  would  have  with- 

Virgirfs  drawn  himself,  and  by  force  he  pushed  him 
Bridegroom  forward,  so  that  he  should  stand  by  his  bride. 
Then  the  child,  seeing  that  they  would  use 
violence  with  him,  and  being  in  great  terror  for 
fear  that  they  should  make  him  to  break  his 
troth,  struggled  against  his  father  and  against 
those  that  helped  him  :  for  now  the  knights 
and  ladies  of  that  meinie  laid  their  hands  on 
him  to  restrain  him,  with  laughter  and  mock- 
ing. And  so  greatly  did  he  struggle  that  at 
last  he  broke  from  them,  and  escaped  out  of 
their  hands,  and  ran  away. 

Then  the  father  cried  out  exceeding  wrath- 
ful, "  Take  him  quickly  ;  let  him  not  go,  he  is 
mad." 

And  a  great  rout  went  after  the  boy — to  wit, 
all  the  wedding  guests  and  serving-men  that 
were  about  them.  But  he  ran  quickly,  so  that 
he  won  out  of  the  chapel,  and  to  the  stairway 
that  went  from  it  into  the  palace-yard.  And 
because  of  the  haste  he  was  in,  coming  to  the 
descent  of  the  stairs  he  miscounted  one,  and 
missing  the  step  he  fell  from  top  to  bottom  a 
great  way  :  and  there  he  lay  upon  the  paving, 
for  he  had  broken  his  neck.  And  when  the 
company  that  went  after  him  came  to  the  foot 
of  the  stair,  there  did  they  find  his  body  lying. 
Then  those  knights  and  ladies,  squires  and 
damoiselles,  seeing  this  thing,  began  to  cry  and 
make  great  moan,  so  that  some  were  near  to 
swooning  of  it  ;  for  indeed  this  was  most 
piteous  end  to  marriage  feast.  And  what  shall 
142 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

I  say  to  you  of  his  mother  ?     Too  long  were  The 
it  to  tell  all  her  grief  and  pain,  the  which  was  Virgin's 
so  great  that  she  longed  only  to  die,  thus  to  be  Bridegroom 
with  her  child  again  :  for  he  was  her  only  son. 

But  whilst  all  endured  this  anguish,  standing 
about  the  body  of  the  child,  their  grief  was  on 
a  sudden  turned  to  amazement:  for  they  saw  in 
the  sky  great  light,  as  it  were  of  many  suns, 
and  in  it  a  rich  company  that  came  toward 
them,  so  full  of  splendour  that  no  tongue  could 
describe  it.  Then  also  did  they  hear  about 
them  a  sweet  and  most  melodious  chanting,  and 
none  might  say  who  made  it,  for  no  minstrels 
could  they  see.  And  all  their  sorrow  went 
from  them  when  that  light  and  that  music  drew 
near,  for  this  was  that  heavenly  melody  which 
is  heard  before  the  Throne  of  God,  the  which 
puts  out  the  thought  of  earthly  grief. 

And  from  out  of  the  midst  of  the  light  there 
came  presently  a  lady,  most  exceeding  fair  :  and 
it  was  seen  that  she  was  whiter  than  a  lily 
flower,  as  was  said,  "jSicut  lilium  inter  spinas, 
sic  arnica  mea  inter  filias,"  for  this  was  the 
Mother  of  the  King  of  Heaven.  And  so 
great  was  the  shining  of  her  purity  that  no 
man  could  endure  to  look  upon  it :  for  the 
which  reason  all  lowered  their  eyes  and  gazed 
upon  the  ground,  fearing  lest  they  might  be 
blinded.  And  whilst  they  so  stood,  much  as- 
tonished and  full  of  dread,  that  sweet  and  holy 
Lady  came  from  amongst  her  train,  and  went 
to  the  body  of  the  child  where  it  lay.  And 
she  took  him  by  the  hand  and  raised  him  up  ; 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  and  at  once  he  opened  his  eyes  and  smiled  upon 

Virgin's         her,  for  he  still  lived. 

Bridegroom  Then  said  the  Blessed  Virgin :  "  Fair  brother, 
here  is  your  bride  ;  therefore  make  ready  for 
your  nuptial  feast.  For  I  am  come  in  quest  of 
your  soul,  the  which  you  did  long  since  betroth 
to  me  ;  and  I  pray  you  that  you  will  give  it  to 
me  quickly,  that  I  may  go  hence." 

Then  the  child  did  heave  a  sigh,  and  his  soul 
left  him,  the  which  the  Mother  of  God  re- 
ceived in  her  arms,  and  carried  with  great  joy 
to  Paradise ;  and  it  was  crowned  with  the  crown 
of  virginity. 

Good  is  it  therefore  to  keep  with  constancy 
the  vows  we  have  made  to  that  Lady  ;  and 
ever  to  observe  her  law,  that  is  the  perfect  law 
of  purity.  For  by  this  miracle  we  do  know 
that  she  keepeth  her  troth  with  her  lovers  ; 
yea,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world  ! 


144 


THE  LILY 


OF  A  KNIGHT  THAT  WAS  MONK  OF  CITEAUX, 
THE  WHICH  COULD  LEARN  NO  LATIN  SAVE 
THE  WORDS  «  AVE,  MARIA  !  " 

HERE  tell  we  for  the  comfort  of  the  un-  The  Lily 
learned  the  history  of  a  very  simple  and 
ignorant  knight.  He  was  a  man  much  skilled 
in  the  exercise  of  arms,  that  had  fought  right 
valiantly  under  the  banners  of  the  Emperor, 
the  Doge,  and  the  Most  Christian  King  ;  so 
that  he  had  gathered  to  himself  great  riches 
and  many  wounds.  But  in  spite  of  his  hardi- 
hood, he  grew  old,  as  we  all  must  do  ;  and  came 
at  last  to  the  time  in  which  the  making  of  his 
soul  seemed  a  greater  matter  than  the  taking  of 
many  towns,  and  rest  more  desirable  than 
victory.  For  though  battles  be  great  and 
honourable  things,  yet  is  there  a  greater  and 
a  secret  fight ;  and  this  every  man  must  conduct 
in  privity. 

Now  this  knight,  though  he  had  loved  not 
the  air  of  the  withdrawing  rooms,  nor  idled 
ever  in  the  Courts  of  Love,  had  throughout  his 
life  most  tenderly  esteemed  all  ladies,  being 
quick  in  their  defence  and  exceeding  careful  of 
their  ease.  And  at  those  times  when  he  had 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Lily  found  opportunity  for  the  hearing  of  the  Mass, 
it  was  rather  to  the  Mother  than  the  Son  that 
he  found  it  easiest  to  offer  his  devotion.  Thus 
he  would  salute  right  courteously  the  Lady  of 
Ladies,  the  Queen  of  Heavenly  Love,  saying 
very  devoutly,  Ave,  Maria  !  for  these  words 
he  had  learned  whilst  yet  he  was  very  young, 
though  what  followed  them  he  never  could 
remember.  Nor  did  he  ever,  that  he  knew  it, 
pass  by  an  image  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  without 
offering  her  this  salutation  ;  a  thing  that  should 
greatly  have  edified  his  followers,  and  if  it  did 
not,  may  their  souls  bear  the  blame  ! 

But  in  that  he  had  now  come  to  an  age  in 
which  the  ladies  of  this  world  no  longer  needed 
his  devotion,  the  thoughts  of  this  knight 
turned  naturally  to  that  Better  Country  where, 
as  he  was  taught,  grey  hairs  and  stiff  joints  are 
no  impediments  to  success.  And  because  from 
the  castles  of  his  patrons  that  country  seemed 
dim  and  very  hard  of  access,  he  dismissed  his 
men-at-arms,  withdrew  from  his  services,  and 
in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age  retired  to  the 
•  cloister,  taking  the  habit  of  religion  in  the  house 
of  Citeaux. 

Now  if  the  first  business  of  a  good  monk  be 
holiness,  the  second  is  very  surely  the  due  and 
learned  recitation  of  his  prayers ;  and  more 
especially  of  that  divine  and  daily  Office  whereby 
the  brotherhood  from  the  stalls  of  the  choir  do 
mark  the  night  hours  and  the  divisions  of  the 
day.  It  was  therefore  with  a  very  natural 
vexation  that  the  monks  of  Citeaux  discovered 
148 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

that  their  new  brother  knew  two  words  only  of  The  Lily 
the  Latin  tongue ;  those  namely  of  Ave> 
Maria  !  which  had  blessed  the  motions  of  his 
worldly  life.  With  these  words  he  would  very 
rightly  greet  the  image  of  Our  Lady  whenever 
he  passed  it ;  nor  did  this  courtesy  content 
him,  for  he  would  also  laud  her  in  this  manner 
during  the  hours  in  which  the  choir  Office  was 
sung.  And  the  cantors  were  much  wrath  at  it, 
for  they  deemed  that  such  antics  comported  not 
with  the  right  worship  of  God.  But  this  brother, 
for  that  he  was  altogether  without  scholarship, 
could  in  no  wise  read  in  the  Psalter  the  psalms 
of  the  day,  nor  divine  the  matter  of  his  brethren's 
prayers  ;  and  ever  in  the  chant  of  Beatus  Vir  and 
Dixit  Insipiens  his  voice  might  be  heard 
crying  Ave,  Maria  !  The  thing  brought  con- 
tempt on  the  singing  of  the  community ; 
amongst  those  brothers  that  were  tempted  to 
the  sin  of  ribaldry  it  became  even  an  occasion 
of  mirth.  It  was  plain  to  all  that  this  ignorant 
brother  must  be  so  instructed  that  he  might 
at  least  stay  silent  whilst  those  wiser  than  he 
offered  the  fruits  of  their  scholarship  to  God. 
The  Lord  Abbot  had  ever  been  of  opinion  that  • 
a  bad  Latinist  maketh  a  bad  monk  ;  there-  • 
fore  did  he  ordain  that  his  sons  should  make  it 
their  business  to  teach  this  poor  novice  the 
language  of  religion  as  quickly  as  they  might.  • 
But  the  new  brother  was  old,  and  not  apt  at 
the  learning  of  new  words  :  they  were  hard  to 
utter  and  easy  to  forget.  He  was  humble  and 
obedient,  full  of  a  very  loving  devotion  ;  but 

149 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Lily  the  tongue  that  could  order  his  men-at-arms 
stumbled  amongst  the  antiphons,  and  found 
even  the  Paternoster  too  hard  to  be  contrived. 
Though  he  was  much  diligent,  yet  many  weeks 
went  by  and  still  the  only  prayer  ever  heard 
upon  his  lips  was  that  same  cry  of  Avc,  Maria  ! 
with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  greet  the 

.  Mother  of  God.  This  did  he  say  continually, 
with  exceeding  great  fervour  of  devotion  ;  nor 
did  he  forget  to  wake  oft  in  the  darkness  to 
offer  his  praise  to  that  Lady,  for  he  loved  her 
well. 

So  at  last,  because  he  was  very  old  and 
simple,  and  it  was  plain  that  he  could  learn 
nothing,  the  brothers  left  their  teaching,  agree- 
ing together  that  he  was  a  witless  person  lacking 

-  all  true  vocation,  and  insusceptible  of  divine 
knowledge.  When  strangers  came  to  the 
monastery,  they  looked  curiously  at  the  foolish 
monk  that  knew  no  Latin  but  Ave,  Maria  ! : 
and  some  there  were  that  mocked  at  him,  but  for 
the  most  part  they  left  him  alone  as  a  simple 
fellow  whose  deeds  were  of  little  account.  He 
was  given  that  stall  in  the  choir  whence  his 

.  voice  might  make  least  confusion  ;  and  there, 
at  the  hours  of  the  Office,  he  confidently  offered 
his  praise  to  Our  Lady,  whilst  his  brothers 
chanted  their  verses  and  responds  from  "Domi- 
nus  vobiscum  "  to  "  Sicut  erat  in  principio." 

And  at  last,  when  he  had  lived  amongst  them 
many  years,  often  the  subject  of  laughter  and  con- 
tempt, yet  never  ceasing  the  courteous  devotion 
which  he  offered  to  the  Queen  of  Heaven  in  all 
150 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

love  and  loyalty,  as  good  knight  to  liege  lady  The  Lily 
ever  should,  that  ignorant  brother  died.     And 
he  was  wrapped,  as  the  Rule  ordains,  in  the  habit 
of  the  order,  and  buried  without  pomp  or  out- 
ward show  in  the  cemetery  of  the  monks.     Nor 
did  any  give  great  heed  to  his  passing,  for  he 
had  been  a  very  humble  and  a  quiet  old  man, 
unnoticed  save  for  that  constant  prayer  of  A<ve^ 
Maria  !  with  which  he  had  marked  the  minutes 
of  his  day.     His  life  had  done  nought,  save  by 
the  gift  of  his  great  riches,  for  the  advancement" 
of  religion  ;  his  death  meant  only  the  ending  of 
a  folly  too  gentle  for  any  to  resent.     Only  the 
Lord  Abbot,  for  that  he  had  much  skill  in  the 
art  of  music,  perceived  that  the  daily  Office  was 
now  chanted  with  a  greater  smoothness  and  har- 
mony than  it  had  aforetime  attained.     And  he 
was  exceeding  glad  of  it,  for  though  his  sons 
might  not  all  be  saints,  he  greatly  desired  that 
they  should  be  known  in  the  courts  of  Paradise 
for  good  musicians,  and  the  ill-timed  devotions 
of  the  ignorant  monk  had  vexed  him  oft. 

But  it  happened  a  while  after,  when  already 
the  absence  of  that  brother  had  ceased  to  be 
matter  of  common  speech  and  the  memory  of 
his  folly  had  grown  dim,  that  a  certain  lay 
brother,  the  which  was  also  an  unlettered  man, 
walked  in  the  hour  of  recreation  in  the  cemetery 
of  the  monks.  And  it  was  an  exceeding  bare  and 
desolate  place,  that  had  no  trees  nor  flowering 
plants  therein  ;  but  crosses  there  were  of  black 
wood  that  marked  the  graves  wherein  the 
brothers  had  been  laid.  Therefore  was  that  lay 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Lily  brother  greatly  astonished  when  he  saw,  in  a 
corner  beneath  the  wall,  some  white  and  golden 
thing  that  grew  to  a  man's  full  height.  It 
seemed  to  him  that  this  must  be  a  flower,  and 
he  knew  not  who  had  dared  to  plant  it.  And 
being  filled  with  a  very  ardent  curiosity,  he  drew 
nearer  that  he  might  the  better  see  what  it  was  ; 
for  it  was  the  hour  of  twilight,  and  already 
distant  things  grew  dim.  But  this  thing  did  not 
vanish  away,  as  he  had  feared  that  it  might  do 
when  he  came  near  ;  rather  did  it  grow  in  size, 
towering  above  him  in  great  majesty.  And  he  saw 
that  it  was  a  great  and  pale  lily,  even  such  a  lily 
as  Saint  Gabriel  the  Archangel  bore  to  Our  Lady 
with  his  Salutation.  And  it  sprang  from  the 
earth  that  was  heaped  upon  one  of  the  graves  ; 
and  though  its  roots  were  planted  in  corruption, 
yet  its  petals  shone  with  a  whiteness  that  is  of 
Paradise,  and  letters  of  fine  gold  were  written 
on  each  of  its  leaves.  And  the  lay  brother, 
seeing  it  thus,  was  full  of  amazement  ;  for  the 
place  wherefrom  it  grew  was  not  that  in  which 
the  body  of  the  sub-Prior,  an  holy  and  a  learned 
man  esteemed  of  all,  had  been  laid  ;  but  it  was 
the  newest  grave  in  all  the  cemetery,  even  that 
of  the  ignorant  monk. 

Then,  because  he  was  exceeding  perplexed  by 
that  which  he  had  seen,  and  further,  being  un- 
lettered, could  not  read  the  words  that  were  on 
-  the  leaves  of  the  flower,  that  lay  brother  went 
in  haste  and  great  fear  to  the  Lord  Abbot,  and 
told  him  of  the  lily  that  grew  amongst  the 
graves.  And  the  Abbot  was  much  astonished, 
152 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  he  came  straitway  with  many  of  the  monks,  The  Liiy 
to  see  what  it  might  be.  But  when  they 
were  come  to  that  part  of  the  cemetery  wherein 
the  lily  was,  behold,  great  fear  and  reverence  fell 
on  them ;  for  these  were  lettered  men,  and  they 
knew  that  the  flower  they  looked  on  was  not 
such  an  one  as  grows  on  our  poor  earth.  For 
the  light  which  came  from  its  petals  put  out  that » 
of  the  lantern  which  they  carried,  and  on  each 
of  its  leaves  was  written  in  letters  of  gold  the 
words  of  the  Angelic  Salutation,  even  Ave^ 
Maria  ! 

Then  were  they  all  greatly  amazed,  devoutly 
regarding  this  miracle  ;  and  some  crossed  them- 
selves, fearing  an  evil  magic,  and  some  went 
hot-foot  to  their  prayers.  But  the  Lord  Abbot 
was  full  of  perplexity,  for  he  knew  not  any  cause 
wherefore  this  mercy  should  have  been  vouch- 
safed to  his  flock.  Therefore  he  did  ordain  that 
spades  be  brought,  and  that  they  should  dig 
with  much  care  and  dread  about  the  roots  of 
the  lily  where  it  sprang  from  the  earth,  to  the 
end  that  they  might  discover  the  secret  of  its 
growth.  And  having  so  said,  he  retired  to  his 
chamber,  there  to  give  thanks  for  the  miracle  ; 
and  he  also  entreated  God  right  humbly  that 
light  might  be  granted  him  concerning  that 
which  this  marvel  should  portend. 

And  the  brothers  did  as  he  commanded  them 
with  exceeding  care  and  reverence,  for  they  feared 
to  lay  hands  upon  the  holy  flower  or  trouble 
the  earth  about  its  roots.  Yet  for  all  their 
travail  they  shook  it  not  at  all ;  but  they  dug 

'53 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Lily  deep  and  yet  deeper,  and  still  the  roots  went 
before  them  into  the  earth.  And  when  they 
had  gone  to  a  great  depth,  they  found  at  last 
the  place  wherefrom  it  sprang  ;  as  with  due 
labour  and  searching  the  roots  of  all  things  that 
flower  upon  this  earth  may  be  found.  Then 
left  they  their  toil  and  went  to  the  Abbot, 
greatly  troubled  at  that  which  they  had  seen  ; 
for  this  matter  they  might  not  understand.  And 
they  said  to  him : 

"  Oh,  Lord  Abbot !  we  have  discovered  the 
roots  of  the  heavenly  lily  and  the  place  where- 
from it  draws  its  nourishment ;  for  we  have 
searched  out  its  beginnings,  and  have  found 
them  where  they  do  take  their  rise.  And  they 
spring  from  between  the  lips  of  that  ignorant 
monk  our  brother  ;  even  he  that  could  utter  no 
Latin  save  the  words  '  AVE,  MARIA  ! '  " 


154 


THE  MINSTREL  OF 
ROC  AMADOUR 


HOW  HE  MADE  MUSIC  FOR  MADAME  SAINT 
MARY'S  SAKE,  AND  HAD  THEREFROM  EX- 
CEEDING SWEET  REWARD 

OUR  dear  Lady,  God's   Mother,  Queen  of  The 
Angels,  hath  done  in  her  church  of  Roc   Minstrel 
Amadour  many  miracles  both  fair  and  kindly,  '/&* 
and  they  are  written  in  the  French  tongue  in  a  Amadour 
great  book,  that  all  may  know  them.     And  one 
exceeding  courteous  marvel  did  she  do  for  a 
certain  minstrel  her  servant,  the  which  I  will  tell 
here,  that  every  heart  may  understand  Our  Lady's 
courtesy. 

In  that  country  there  was  a  troubadour,  a 
man  of  much  renown,  for  he  had  great  skill  in 
the  tenzon  and  the  sirvente  :  his  name  was 
Pierre  de  Syglar.  He  was  a  very  courteous 
minstrel,  loving  to  laud  all  ladies  with  voice  and 
with  viol ;  and  especially  would  he  sing  the 
praise  of  Saint  Mary  Queen  of  Ladies  whenever 
he  might,  for  he  held  her  in  great  love  and 
reverence.  To  Roc  Amadour  Pierre  came  on  a 
certain  day,  that  was  a  time  of  pilgrimage ;  for 
the  which  reason  many  folk  of  his  neighbour- 
hood were  with  him.  And  within  the  church 
was  also  great  company  of  other  pilgrims,  that 

'57 


The 

Minstrel 
of  Roc 
Amadour 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

had  come  out  of  distant  countries  for  the  sake  of 
their  salvation,  and  there  did  make  great  feast. 

And  having  entered  into  the  chapel  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  wherein  is  her  shrine  all  set 
about  with  candles  and  with  votive  gifts,  there 
did  Pierre  make  his  orisons,  imploring  very 
meekly  her  protection  and  her  aid.  Then,  when 
he  had  so  done,  he  took  his  viol,  the  which  he 
always  carried  with  him  because  he  loved  it 
much,  and  : 

"  Now,  dear  Lady,"  he  said,  "  sith  I  have  paid 
my  reverence  and  made  my  most  humble 
request,  deign,  I  entreat  you,  to  hear  the  sweet 
music  wherewith  I  will  entertain  you  if  I  can. 
Verily  it  is  the  joy  of  all  ladies  ;  therefore  may 
hap,  Madame,  it  shall  be  pleasing  to  you.  For 
meseemeth  that  here  many  do  make  prayers  to 
you,  and  ask  your  comfort  and  your  help,  but 
few  laud  you  with  lai  and  rondel,  or  seek  to 
pleasure  you  with  songs  of  chivalry  and  love,  as 
every  loyal  troubadour  should  laud  and  serve 
the  Mother  of  his  King.  And  moreover,  if 
this  I  may  not  do  for  you,  then  nought  can  I 
compass  for  your  service,  the  which  were  a  sorry 
thing  ;  for  in  the  making  of  melody  is  all  my 
skill." 

Then  did  Pierre  draw  the  bow  very  softly 
across  the  strings  of  his  viol,  so  that  there  came 
from  it  such  heavenly  melody  that  it  drew  all 
the  folk  wherewith  the  church  was  filled.  And 
soon  he  had  about  him  great  company  of  clerks 
and  pilgrims  that  would  hear  him  ;  for  indeed 
he  made  so  fair  a  music  that  it  seemed  as  if  his 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

viol  would  speak.     And   when  he  had  sweetly  The 
greeted  and  long  praised  Saint  Mary  with  all  his  Minstrel 
heart,  then  did  he  play  to  her  those  melodies  °f  & 
whereto  the  maidens  love  to   dance,  and  sang 
also  many  piteous  histories  of  heroes  slain  in 
battle  and  gentle  ladies  crossed  in  love.     And 
when    he   was   come  to   an  end  he  fell  down 
before  her  image  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying  : 

"  Dear  Mother  of  God,  most  courteous  Lady, 
if  this  my  music  has  made  you  glad,  now  I  do 
ask  of  you  a  gueridon  ;  for  it  is  the  custom  of 
all  ladies  so  to  reward  their  troubadours. 
Therefore  I  do  most  humbly  demand  that  you 
will  give  me  one  of  those  candles  of  which 
you  have  so  many  round  your  shrine  ;  verily, 
you  cannot  need  them  all,  for  never  have  I  seen 
so  great  array.  Peerless  Lady,  will  you  not 
spare  me  one,  that  therewith  I  may  light  me  at 
my  supper,  and  think  upon  your  love  ?  " 

Now  the  heart  of  Our  Lady  Saint  Mary,  that 
is  the  fount  of  courtesy  and  the  source  of 
kindliness,  was  inclined  towards  this  minstrel 
that  had  played  his  best  to  please  her  ;  there- 
fore, because  she  can  do  all  things  that  she 
will,  she  granted  his  request,  and  at  the  hand 
of  her  angel  she  caused  a  tall  and  fair  candle 
that  burned  before  her  shrine  to  descend  from 
its  place,  and  come,  and  rest  on  the  viol  where- 
with he  had  extolled  her.  And  all  the  people 
that  were  in  the  chapel  saw  it.  But  one  of  the 
monks  of  the  abbey,  a  foolish  and  an  ignorant 
man  that  had  to  name  Gerard,  the  which  was 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  custodian  of  that  place,  stood  before  the  shrine  to 

Minstrel       guard  the  treasure  thereof,  for  it  was  very  rich. 
°f*      ,  And  he,  because  he  was  dull  of  wit  and  might 

not  understand  the  matter,  was  exceeding  wrath  : 
for  he  dreamed  not  that  the  glorious  Virgin 
would  do  marvels  for  a  minstrel's  sake,  and  held 
the  miracle  to  be  an  evil  sorcery.  Therefore  he 
fell  upon  Pierre  the  troubadour,  and  took  from 
off  his  viol  the  candle  which  the  Queen  of 
Heaven  had  made  to  descend  on  it,  and  put  it 
back  on  the  shrine  whence  it  had  come,  threaten- 
ing him  harshly,  and  saying  : 

"  Let  us  cast  out  from  the  church  the  en- 
chanter that  has  done  this  sacrilege,  for  very 
surely  the  Enemy  is  with  him." 

But  the  jongleur  heeded  not  the  foolish  monk 
that  thus  maligned  him,  for  well  he  knew  that 
Our  Lady  was  his  friend ;  and  because  of  the 
gueridon  she  had  given  him,  so  great  joy  was  in 
his  heart  that  he  was  moved  to  tears,  giving 
thanks  in  silence  to  God's  Mother  for  her 
exceeding  courtesy.  Then  presently  he  took 
his  viol  anew,  for  he  was  in  no  wise  abashed 
by  the  vain  words  that  Gerard  had  spoken  : 
and  lifting  up  his  heart  toward  the  Queen  of 
Angels,  he  made  in  her  praise  a  lai  so  sweet  and 
pleasant  that  fairer  melody  that  Blessed  Lady 
had  never  heard  in  her  church — neither  in 
kyriel,  sequence,  nor  respond.  And  so  great 
joy  did  she  have  of  it,  that  she  was  moved  to  do 
her  minstrel  the  more  honour  therefore  :  and 
she  made  the  fair  candle  that  he  had  asked  of 
her  to  descend  anew  from  her  altar,  and  it  came, 
160 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  rested  once  more  on  his  viol.     And  full  five  The 
hundred  saw  this  miracle.  Minstrel 

Then  Gerard  the  sacristan,  seeing  this  thing,  tf&* 
and  being  but  a  fool  that  had  his  head  full  of  Amadour 
relics    and    knew    nought    of    the    mercies    of 
Almighty  God,  was  altogether  filled  with  anger  ; 
for  he  loved  not  those  matters  that  he  might 
not  understand.     And  he  cried  : 

"  Here  is  magic  and  vile  sorcery,  thus  to 
desecrate  Our  Lady's  shrine  !  The  idle  and 
the  ignorant  marvel  at  it,  believing  that  a 
miracle  has  chanced;  but  well  do  I  know  that 
such  enchantments  are  but  the  work  of  Simon 
Magus  and  his  crew.  Yea  !  his  evil  power  it 
is,  and  no  other  thing,  that  hath  caused  this 
impious  troubadour  to  call  a  candle  from  our 
holy  shrine." 

And  he  leaped  upon  Pierre  the  jongleur, 
being  full  of  vexation  because  the  people,  that 
were  amazed,  doubted  his  words  and  helped 
him  not ;  and  he  took  from  off"  the  viol  Saint 
Mary's  gift,  and  mounted  to  the  shrine  there 
to  fix  it  on  that  place  wherefrom  she  made  it 
to  descend.  Then  said  he  : 

4 'Behold!  your  miracle  is  put  to  nought; 
and  now  you  shall  be  cast  out  of  the  church  for 
blasphemer  and  magician." 

But  the  minstrel,  that  was  a  wise  and  prudent 
man,  was  nowise  moved  by  Gerard's  wrath, 
but  did  most  patiently  endure  it :  for  so  glad 
he  was  to  have  Our  Lady's  grace,  that  nought 
that  man  might  say  could  hurt  him.  There- 
fore, heeding  not  the  foolish  sacristan,  that 

i  161 


The 

Minstrel 
of  Roc 
Amadour 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

would  have  turned  him  away  from  her  chapel, 
he  began  anew  his  music  and  singing  ;  for  well 
did  he  know  that  the  glorious  Virgin  would 
bring  him  well  out  of  the  matter  if  he  might 
please  her  by  his  song.  And  he  sang  a  right 
joyous  carol  of  Christ's  Birth,  and  of  the  love 
He  had  toward  His  dam  ;  and  playing  upon 
his  viol,  he  sighed  and  wept  also,  being  uplifted 
with  exceeding  fervour  of  spirit,  for  whilst 
his  mouth  sang  the  words  of  love,  so  did  his 
heart  entreat  her.  And  he  sweetly  prayed 
God's  Mother  of  her  courtesy  to  hear  him,  and 
show  him  earnest  of  her  grace  ;  and  that  all 
might  know  him  guiltless  of  blasphemy,  he 
begged  that  she  would  again  give  her  candle 
into  his  hands,  the  which  the  sacristan,  that 
knew  not  Saint  Mary's  bounty,  had  twice  taken 
away. 

And  now  there  was  in  the  chapel  great  press 
of  people  that  were  much  amazed  by  the 
wonder  they  had  seen  ;  and  all  marvelled 
greatly  whether  the  candle,  the  which  had  twice 
descended  at  his  prayer,  would  come  again  to 
Pierre  the  troubadour.  And  so  sweetly  did 
that  minstrel  play  before  Our  Lady's  image, 
that  he  made  many  souls  to  weep  from  pity  ; 
and  so  high  did  his  heart  sing,  that  the  sound 
of  it  went  even  up  to  God.  And  now,  as  we 
are  told,  while  he  did  serenade  the  Queen  of 
Angels  with  all  the  skill  he  had,  the  candle  did 
descend  a  third  time  from  its  place  before  the 
altar,  and  rested  on  his  viol.  Yea !  three  times  did 
Saint  Mary  make  this  gift  to  her  jongleur,  that 
162 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

so  courteously  entreated  her  and  made  music  for  The 
her  delight ;  and  when  this  they  saw,  the  people  Minstrel 
cried,  saying  :  of  Roc 

"  Ring  !  ring  the  bells  !  for  great  marvels  are  ****** 
here  ;  never  did  the  Blessed  Virgin  fairer  miracle, 
nor  ever  will  at  this  her  shrine." 

Then  was  great  feasting  in  the  church,  of 
priests  and  pilgrims  and  all  pious  folk,  with 
much  anthems  and  orisons  and  the  carrying  of 
lights.  And  all  the  bells  were  rung,  that  the 
people  of  the  country  side  might  know  it ;  never 
did  God  hear  them  louder  ring.  And  Pierre 
the  minstrel  came  once  more  to  the  chapel  of 
Our  Lady,  and  there  did  offer  upon  her  altar 
the  candle  wherewith  she  had  paid  his  songs  ; 
most  heartily  thanking  God  and  His  glorious 
Mother  for  this  exceeding  grace.  Hard  must 
have  been  the  heart  that  was  not  moved  for  joy 
of  it  ;  to  see  Our  Lady's  courtesy,  and  this 
courtesy  that  her  troubadour  did  render  her 
again. 

Nor  did  he  leave  his  devotion,  nor  ever  for- 
get the  Queen  of  Heaven  ;  for  all  his  life  long, 
each  year  he  let  bring  to  Roc  Amadour  a  candle, 
that  was  of  virgin  wax  and  a  full  pound  in 
weight.  And  he  offered  it  before  her  shrine, 
and  when  he  had  lit  it,  he  took  his  viol  and 
made  music,  singing  a  sirvente  in  her  praise. 
And  he  lived  always  Saint  Mary's  very  loving 
servant,  so  that  whensoever  he  entered  any 
church,  never  would  he  leave  it  till  he  had 
sought  out  her  image  and  there  had  sung  her 
a  lai ;  for  he  knew  that  she  had  joy  of  his  songs. 

163 


The 

Minstrel 
of  Roc 
Amadour 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

And  when  that  it  pleased  God  to  end  his  life, 
be  ye  sure  that  the  sweet  Virgin  forgat  not 
her  jongleur,  but  did  bring  him  to  Heavenly 
Syon  ;  and  his  soul  appeared  at  the  Throne  of 
God  by  the  virtue  of  her  intercession,  that  there 
it  might  evermore  make  music  before  her  face. 

Thus  may  those  do  that  make  music  in  Our 
Lady's  honour,  entreating  her  right  courteously 
and  serving  her  with  their  art.  For  if  they 
laud  her  as  her  minstrel  did,  surely  shall  they 
be  given  another  viol  and  a  sweeter  voice,  to 
the  end  that  they  may  join  the  company  of 
minstrels  that  is  in  Heaven  :  even  those  spirits 
of  the  just  made  perfect,  the  which  do  offer  day 
and  night  to  God  and  to  His  glorious  Mother 
the  celestial  music  of  their  burning  love. 


164 


THE  VIGILS  OF  THE  DEAD 


HERE  IS  TOLD  THE  HISTORY  OF  A  CERTAIN 
NOBLE  VIRGIN,  THAT  SAID  EVERY  DAY  THE 
HOURS  OF  OUR  LADY,  AND  ONCE  A  WEEK 
THE  VIGILS  OF  THE  DEAD 

THERE  was  a  maiden  of  noble  birth  that  The  Vigils 
was  comely  and  debonair  and  had  much  of  the  Dead 
riches  ;  for  sith  her  father  and  mother  died 
whilst  yet  she  was  a  child,  great  wealth  Came  to 
her,  and  many  lands.  And  since  she  was  thus 
solitary  in  this  world's  wilderness,  having  none 
to  whom  she  owed  obedience  nor  any  save  God 
in  whom  she  might  trust,  this  noble  lady  made 
offering  of  her  virginity  to  Jesu  Christ,  and  to 
His  Mother,  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary  ;  for  she 
greatly  feared  the  deception  of  earthly  love.  And 
she  prayed  Our  Lady  to  have  charge  of  her  and 
help  her  keep  her  maidenhead,  that  she  might 
be  a  worthy  bride  for  her  dear  Son. 

Thus  dwelling  on  her  demesne  with  her 
household,  and  living  in  honesty  and  charity  as 
becomes  the  friend  of  God,  this  gentlewoman 
had  all  men's  love  and  worship,  for  indeed  she 
was  a  most  fair  ensample  to  that  country  side. 
For  this  cause,  and  also  for  the  great  wealth  she 
had  and  the  exceeding  fairness  of  her  face,  many 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Vigils  knights  and  noble  lords  did  demand  her  hand  in 
of  the  Dead  marriage  ;  yea,  so  sweet  of  aspect  she  was,  that 
assuredly  there  was  no  man  in  the  kingdom  that 
would  not  have  right  willingly  possessed  her. 
But  the  lady  was  full  of  prudence,  courtesy,  and 
learning,  knowing  well  how  to  read  both  Latin 
and  French,  and  her  mind  was  little  set  on 
gallantry  ;  moreover,  of  her  piety  each  day  it 
was  her  custom  to  say  the  Hours  of  Our  Lady 
her  protectress,  that  she  might  guard  her  from 
all  villainy  and  grief,  and  once  every  week  she 
said  also  the  Vigils  of  the  Dead,  to  help  all 
faithful  souls.  And  though  many  lords  and 
gentlemen  did  ardently  entreat  her  love,  yet  she 
replied  to  them  all  that  for  the  vow  she  had 
made  she  might  not  give  it  them  ;  for  the  love 
of  Jesu  Christ  her  Saviour  was  more  precious 
than  that  of  earthly  friend. 

Now  certain  of  her  kindred,  hearing  how 
that  their  cousin  lived  alone  upon  her  lands, 
refusing  herself  to  all  men,  so  that  she  had  no 
defender  to  do  battle  for  her  rights,  made  com- 
mon cause  that  they  might  steal  her  lands  and 
wealth  from  her  :  the  which  she  could  in  no 
wise  keep  from  them,  for  what  can  woman  do 
alone  ?  And  by  their  villainy  she  saw  herself 
greatly  despoiled  and  impoverished,  and  she  was 
full  of  grief  for  it,  fearing  lest  in  the  end  she  be 
brought  to  beggary.  And  there  was  a  knight, 
a  strong  lord  and  powerful  in  that  land,  valiant, 
discreet,  and  debonair,  the  which  had  set  his 
heart  on  this  lady  ;  and  she  knew  that  he  loved 
her  exceeding  well.  Therefore,  being  in  great 
168 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

distress,  not  knowing  what  to  do  against  them   The  Vigils 
that  would  despoil  her,  she  asked  of  this  lord  of  the  Dead 
his  help  for  friendship's  sake.     But  he  answered 
her  saying  : 

"  If  you  will  give  me  your  love,  I  will  make 
war  upon  your  kindred  that  do  you  this  mis- 
chief, and  restore  all  the  lands  that  you  have 
lost ;  but  nought  will  I  do  for  you  till  that  you 
give  me  your  troth." 

She  said,  "  Fair  friend,  this  I  cannot  do,  for 
my  Lord  Christ  constraineth  me." 

Replied  the  knight,  "  If  you  will  not  do  me 
this  courtesy,  little  help  shall  I  give  you." 

And  he  went  his  way,  but  he  was  in  no  wise 
disheartened,  for  he  was  well  aware  that  this 
lady  had  small  knowledge  of  love ;  therefore  in 
a  little  while  he  came  to  her  again  and  did 
beseech  her  anew,  and  told  her  the  griefs  that 
he  endured  because  of  his  passion,  which  were 
indeed  so  great  that  often  times  he  wished  to 
die.  And  again  he  swore  to  be  her  defender  in 
all  things  if  that  she  would  give  him  her  troth. 

But  the  lady  excused  herself  very  courteously, 
saying,  "  Verily,  sire,  I  cannot  break  the  vow 
that  I  have  made  for  anything  that  may  befall  ; 
and  indeed  he  is  but  foolish  that  would  tempt 
me  to  do  it,  for  God  and  His  Mother  forbid, 
and  I  will  not  put  my  soul  in  peril  to  have 
worldly  gain  thereby.  If  my  goods  must  go, 
so  shall  it  be  ;  for  certainly  it  is  better  to  know 
poverty  in  this  world  than  damnation  in  the 
world  to  come." 

Then  the  knight  departed  from  her  a  second 

169 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Vigih  time,  and  went  home  all  discomforted,  recom- 
of 'the  Dead  mending  himself  to  God  ;  but  he  came  back 
before  a  fortnight  was  passed  and  prayed  the 
lady  anew  that  she  would  be  his  sweetheart. 
What  need  to  set  out  all  the  words  that  passed 
between  them  ?  So  many  times  did  he  come 
and  go,  and  to  so  great  straits  was  the  lady 
brought  both  by  reason  of  his  gallantries  and 
importunities,  and  also  because  she  stood  in 
much  need  of  his  help,  that  at  last  she  was  forced 
to  yield  all.  And  forgetting  altogether  how 
that  she  was  the  bride  of  Jesu  Christ,  she  did 
make  tryst  with  that  knight  to  meet  him  in 
secret  that  they  might  exchange  tokens  of  their 
love  ;  for  the  ardour  of  his  wooing  was  so  great 
that  it  had  altogether  conquered  her,  and  driven 
all  else  from  her  mind.  And  she  took  and 
showed  him  all  the  secret  places  of  her  demesne, 
saying  : 

"  You  will  come  to  me  by  the  orchard,  and 
cross  the  little  bridge,  and  enter  into  this  oratory ; 
there  will  I  go  so  soon  as  it  is  night,  and  will 
wait  you  alone.  And  be  sure  that  you  are  very 
secret,  for  none  must  know  this  thing." 

The  knight  took  but  one  kiss,  the  which  the 
lady  gave  to  him  again,  and  he  went  away  to 
await  the  hour  that  he  had  so  long  desired. 
And  very  long  it  seemed  in  coming ;  but  if  one 
cry  Nowell  long  enough,  No  well  at  last  is  here, 
as  the  saw  saith ;  and  so  it  was  with  the  day 
of  this  knight's  joy.  Then  he  disguised  him- 
self, that  he  might  not  be  perceived ;  and  he 
came  alone  to  the  garden  that  was  about  his 
170 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

mistress's  house,   there  to  wait  till  night  fell.   The  Vigils 
And  the  lady  made  her  household  to  go  early  of  the  Dead 
to  bed  while  yet  it  was  light,  for  it  was  summer 
time;  and  she  dressed  herself  in  a  plain  cotta 
without  kerchief  and  put  a  circlet  of  gold  on 
her  head,  the  which  became  her  well.     More- 
over her  tresses,  that  were  of  a  golden  colour 
exceeding  fair,   fell    to  her    waist.     Verily  she 
was  a  right  comely  lady,  most  meet  to  be  the 
friend  of  any  lord. 

Then  when  she  was  ready,  this  gentlewoman 
departed  from  her  chamber  and  came  into  the 
oratory,  where  there  was  a  counterpane  of 
silken  stuff  spread  upon  the  earth;  and  she  sat 
on  it.  And  inasmuch  as  the  hour  she  had 
appointed  to  her  lover  was  already  come,  she 
looked  every  way  to  find  him  ;  but  she  saw  no 
one,  neither  within  the  chapel  nor  without,  and 
she  was  much  vexed  at  it. 

"  Benedicite  !  "  said  she.  "  Was  ever  so  false 
and  laggardly  a  knight  as  this  ?  Is  it  for  such 
a  man  that  I  imperil  my  immortal  soul  ?  He 
should  have  been  waiting  in  this  place,  yet  he 
comes  not.  Of  a  surety  he  shall  never  have 
my  love  !  " 

Then  she  rose  up  full  of  wrath,  and  went 
from  that  oratory  and  returned  into  her  chamber 
and  sat  on  her  bed.  But  after  a  while  she 
repented  her  of  her  impatience  and  thought  she 
would  go  anew  to  the  tryst,  lest  he  might  be 
there;  for  she  was  assured  that  he  loved  her 
well,  and  she  feared  that  if  he  came  and  found 
her  not  he  might  kill  himself  for  grief.  And 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Vigus  remembering  that  she  had  not  said  her  prayers, 
of  the  Dead  the  which  she  would  never  willingly  neglect  to 
do,  she  took  her  Book  of  Hours  from  off  the 
coffer  where  it  lay  and  went  anew  to  the  said 
chapel,  and  there  kneeled  down  to  make  her 
orisons.  The  moon  shone  exceeding  bright, 
and  this  lady  thought  that  she  could  read  in  her 
prymer  by  its  light,  and  say  her  prayers  for 
God's  love  whiles  she  waited  her  lover.  And 
she  began  to  recite  the  Vigils  of  the  Dead,  for 
this  was  the  day  on  which  she  was  accustomed 
to  say  them ;  most  piously  commemorating  her 
father  and  mother  and  all  the  faithful  departed, 
that  their  pains  might  be  eased. 

And  whilst  she  did  thus,  the  knight  her  lover 
left  his  concealment,  for  he  judged  the  hour  to 
be  ripe ;  and  he  came  to  the  door  of  the  oratory 
and  there  saw  the  lady  kneeling.  But  greater 
things  he  saw  also,  by  the  which  he  was  filled 
with  holy  dread;  to  wit  the  shining  bodies  of 
the  dead,  that  had  arisen  from  their  graves  and 
were  there  upon  their  knees,  a  multitude  ex- 
ceeding great,  crying  mercy  to  the  lady  as  it 
seemed.  Verily  at  this  sight  that  knight  was 
so  amazed  that  he  dared  go  neither  forward  nor 
back.  He  looked  at  the  dead,  that  were  both 
men  and  women,  young  and  old,  of  many  and 
diverse  manners,  and  began  to  weep  right 
bitterly;  for  he  perceived  that  this  lady  his 
sweetheart  did  miracles  before  his  eyes.  And 
it  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  greatly  sinned  in 
that  he  had  constrained  her  to  give  him  of  her 
love,  for  very  surely  it  is  an  evil  thing  to  tempt 
172 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

them  that    God  would  have  to  be  His  saints.    The  Vigils 
And  as    he    watched,    being   full  of  fear,   the  of  the  Dead 
maiden  made  an  end  of  her  prayer  and  came  to 
the  Requiescant  in  Pace,  the  which  is  the  con- 
clusion of  this  Office.     And  when  this  she  said, 
all  the    dead  bowed  down  at  her  feet  giving 
thanks  with  exceeding  great  devotion ;  and  then 
they  rose  up  and  went  very  gently  away. 

Then  did  the  lady  straitway  begin  to  recite 
the  Compline  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary;  and 
the  knight  her  lover  still  watched  her,  for  he 
dared  not  enter  in,  being  full  of  awe.  And  it 
was  not  long  before  he  saw  another  marvel,  to 
wit  the  fairest  company  that  ever  was  assembled 
under  heaven;  for  there  came  into  that  oratory 
Our  Lady  Saint  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  ex- 
ceeding fair  and  clothed  with  so  great  a  glory 
no  tongue  could  tell  it,  and  this  gracious  Virgin 
was  encompassed  by  many  angels,  and  seated 
on  a  throne  most  fairly  wrought  of  precious 
stuffs,  as  are  the  works  of  Paradise.  And  ten 
or  twelve  angels  upheld  this  throne,  and  thus 
did  bear  their  Queen  very  gloriously  ;  and  after 
them  came  other  that  sang  her  praises.  Of  a 
surety,  when  they  came  into  the  chapel  so  great 
a  light  did  shine  there  and  so  exceeding  sweet 
and  joyous  was  their  song,  that  this  knight 
could  in  no  wise  endure  it,  but  he  fell  upon  the 
earth  in  a  swoon. 

And  presently,  coming  to  himself,  he  lifted 
up  his  head  and  looked  within  the  place  dis- 
creetly ;  for  now  he  thought  he  had  been 
dreaming.  And  there  he  did  see  the  light 

173 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Vigils  divine,  that  is  the  light  of  Our  Lady,  her 
of  the  Dead  angels,  her  archangels  and  virgins  ;  and  behind 
the  Queen  of  Heaven  two  angels  standing  that 
held  two  burning  candles,  one  to  the  right  hand 
and  one  to  the  left.  And  in  the  midst  of  this 
glorious  company  was  that  gentlewoman  his 
mistress,  that  most  meekly  and  devoutly  said 
her  prayers  ;  and  when  Compline  was  done, 
then  said  she  the  hymn,  Salve  Regina. 

Then  sang  with  her  all  the  angels  and  arch- 
angels, saints  and  virgins,  praising  the  Mother 
of  God  and  crying  : 

"  Salve  Regina  !     Mater  misericordiae, 
Vita,  dulcedo  et  spes  nostra,  salve  ! " 

And  when  this  song  was  finished  the  Queen 
of  Heaven  and  all  her  angels  went  away,  and 
left  that  gentlewoman  her  servant  kneeling 
alone  ;  and  she  knew  not  that  the  Host  of 
Heaven  had  been  there. 

Then  her  lover,  that  had  seen  these  marvels, 
being  greatly  afraid,  entered  into  the  oratory 
and  fell  down  at  her  feet,  saying,  "  Alas  !  most 
dear  and  sainted  lady,  I  cry  you  mercy  of  my 
sin  !  "  And  he  kissed  her  feet,  weeping 
bitterly. 

But  the  maiden,  knowing  not  what  ailed  him, 
and  being  grieved  against  him  because  she  had 
waited  so  long,  said :  "  Oh,  recreant  knight  and 
false  lover  !  Are  these  the  customs  of  chivalry, 
to  come  thus  laggardly  to  the  tryst  ?  Go  your 
ways,  for  you  shall  never  have  my  troth.  Here 
have  I  waited  so  long  that  I  have  said  my  Vigils 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

from   Placebo   to   Requiescant,  and    after   them  The  Vigih 
the  Compline  of  Our  Lady.     Call  you    this    of  the  Dead 
the  ardour  of  true  love  ?  " 

Whereto  the  knight,  greatly  taken  up  with 
those  wonders  that  she  knew  not,  answered  her, 
"  Alas,  lady  !  I  might  not  come  to  you,  for  I 
have  seen  this  night  great  marvels  and  holy 
matters  that  were  done  here  by  your  grace. 
And  by  this  I  know  that  you  are  in  the  keeping 
of  God  and  of  His  angels,  and  that  no  mortal 
man  may  lay  his  hand  on  you." 

Saith  the  lady,  "  What  have  you  seen  ? " 

The  knight  replied  to  her,  "  At  the  hour  of 
the  tryst  I  came  to  the  door  of  this  oratory,  and 
there  I  saw  you  kneeling  upon  the  earth  and 
reading  I  know  not  what ;  and  the  light  of  the 
moon  fell  on  the  book  wherein  you  read.  And 
because  of  this  matter  which  you  did  read  and 
recite,  there  came  about  you  the  shining  bodies 
of  the  holy  dead,  so  many  that  this  place  was 
full  of  them.  And  they  kneeled  with  clasped 
hands  before  you,  and  so  did  stay  a  long  while ; 
verily  because  of  them  I  dared  not  enter  in. 
And  at  last  you  said  somewhat  that  I  might  not 
hear,  and  they  bowed  themselves  before  you 
right  humbly,  and  so  did  go  their  ways." 

When  the  lady  heard  these  things  she  was 
full  of  dread,  and  she  began  to  praise  God 
with  tears.  For  well  she  knew  that  these  souls 
had  been  called  about  her  for  her  defence,  by 
the  virtue  of  those  Vigils  she  said,  by  the  which 
labour  she  did  lighten  their  purgatorial  pains  : 
and  she  gave  thanks  to  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ 

175 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Vigils  that  of  His  mercy  it  had  been  permitted  to  these 
of  the  Dead  holy  souls  to  guard  their  friend  from  sin.  Then, 
when  she  had  so  done,  the  knight  saith  to  her  : 
"  This  is  not  all,  for  when  that  the  dead  had 
gone  from  you  I  saw  yet  holier  things,  to  wit, 
that  this  chapel  was  altogether  filled  with  ghostly 
light,  and  in  that  light  there  came  God's  Mother, 
the  Virgin  Mary,  who  did  descend  from  Heaven 
accompanied  by  angels  and  archangels  and  holy 
virgins,  the  which  were  a  long  time  with  you 
whiles  you  prayed.  And  at  the  end,  when  they 
must  depart,  the  angels  and  virgins  sang  with  you, 
lauding  the  Queen  of  Heaven  with  sweet  sound 
and  joyous  melody,  and  then  did  go  back  to 
Heaven,  leaving  you  here  alone.  I  suppose  no 
man  ever  saw  the  Mother  of  God  better  than  I 
have  done  this  night.  And  because  of  this,  I 
am  minded  to  repent  me  of  all  sinful  desire, 
and  to  offer  to  her  my  body  and  soul ;  and  for 
this  I  will  get  me  to  an  hermitage  there  to  serve 
her.  And  you,  lady,  my  very  sweet  friend 
and  dear  mistress,  think  on  your  soul,  for  verily 
it  belongs  altogether  to  that  Lady  that  has 
guarded  your  maidenhead  this  night.  That 
love  which  I  did  ask  of  you  I  give  you  back 
again ;  but  I  will  preserve  your  lands  from 
them  that  would  despoil  you,  that  if  it  please 
you,  you  may  offer  them  to  God." 

Then  he  went  his  way  ;  and  the  lady,  that 
was  full  of  contrition  because  she  had  been 
tempted  to  the  breaking  of  her  vow,  gave 
thanks  with  exceeding  fervour  to  that  compas- 
sionate Mother,  who  of  her  infinite  mercy  had 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

kept  her  poor  servant  from  this  sin.     And  she  The 

was  shriven  as  soon  as  might  be,  for  she  greatly  of  the  Dead 

desired  to  make  confession,  fleeing  all  worldly 

pride  and  vain  deceit ;  in  that  now  she  knew 

she  had  about  her  a  fairer  meinie  than  earth 

could   furnish — to  wit,   the   Queen  of  Angels 

and  the  souls  of  all  good  Christians,  that  are 

ever  by  the  side  of  them  that  pray. 

And  with  those  riches  that  the  knight  her 
lover  restored  to  her  according  to  his  word, 
this  gentlewoman  did  presently  build  a  fair 
abbey,  and  put  many  nuns  therein.  She  her- 
self also,  having  taken  anew  the  vow  of  chastity, 
did  live  there  in  religion  more  than  twenty 
years,  and  the  fame  of  her  holiness  went  through 
all  the  land  and  won  many  souls  for  God. 
Night  and  day  did  she  laud  her  glorious 
patroness  Saint  Mary,  making  sweet  hymns 
in  her  honour.  Nor  did  she  forget  to  entreat 
God  for  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  that 
He  would  ease  their  pains  and  bring  them  to 
celestial  joy ;  for  these  had  helped  their  friend 
in  the  hour  of  her  temptation,  and  kept  her 
from  the  snare  of  Sathan  to  bring  her  to  the 
perdurable  blessedness  of  them  that  look  on 
the  Eternal  Light. 

REQUIEM  AETERNAM  DONA  EIS,  DOMINE,  ET   LUX 
PERPETUA  LUCEAT  EIS  ! 


M  177 


THE  CHILD  VOWED  TO 
THE  DEVIL 


OF  A  LITTLE  BOY,  THAT  WAS  DEDICATE  TO 
THE  DEVIL  AT  THE  HOUR  OF  HIS  BIRTH  ; 
AND  HOW  THE  VIRGIN  MARY  SAVED  HIM 

THERE  lived  on  a  time  in  the  land  of  The  Child 
France  a  certain  noble  lady,  that  was  vowed  to  the 
joined  in  marriage  to  a  very  valiant  knight :  and 
they  dwelt  long  together  in  much  harmony, 
being  greatly  beloved  by  all,  for  they  were  most 
prudent  and  charitable  folk.  And  this  lady, 
having  borne  her  husband  many  fair  children, 
both  sons  and  daughters,  the  which  she  bred  in 
God's  love,  did  very  ardently  desire  to  give  her- 
self to  Our  Lady  Saint  Mary,  'living  to  her  life's 
end  in  honourable  chastity  for  her  sake.  There- 
fore she  made  a  vow  to  the  intent  that  no  more 
children  would  she  have,  for  she  wished  to 
devote  herself  altogether  to  matters  of  religion  ; 
and  she  held  that  the  rearing  of  babes  but 
hindered  the  advancement  of  the  soul. 

Nevertheless,  a  while  after,  this  gentlewoman 
found  that  she  must  have  a  child.  Then  she 
was  greatly  vexed,  for  she  did  not  desire  it, 
deeming  that  it  would  keep  her  from  Our  Lady's 
service  ;  and  she  complained  right  bitterly  to 
her  husband  and  also  to  the  women  of  her 

181 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Child  household.  Yea,  so  angry  she  was,  that  when 
vowed  to  the  her  time  came  and  she  gave  birth  to  a  fair  son 
Devil  5]^  ^d  jn  her  wrath  that  the  Devil  might  take 

this  baby  if  he  would,  for  nought  did  she  care 
what  became  of  it.  But  the  child  flourished 
exceedingly  and  increased  in  beauty  ;  wherefore 
in  a  little  while  his  mother  hated  him  not  as  she 
had  thought  to  do,  but  loved  him  well,  as  a 
mother  should  love  her  child.  And  he  grew 
and  prospered,  being  a  very  gentle  boy,  so  full 
of  grace  and  prudence  that  all  were  astonished 
at  it.  He  went  early  to  school,  and  learned  to 
read  right  quickly  ;  never  was  seen  a  child  so 
industrious  and  so  meek. 

But  his  mother,  remembering  how  that  she 
had  given  him  to  the  Devil  when  he  was  born, 
wept  often  to  see  her  little  son  ;  for  now  she 
loved  him  with  all  her  heart,  and  greatly  she 
feared  that  the  Enemy  would  take  him  from 
her.  But  she  hid  this  matter  in  her  heart  and 
revealed  it  to  none,  save  to  the  glorious  Virgin, 
whom  she  entreated  in  her  prayers.  Neverthe- 
less, Sathan,  that  forgets  no  sin,  remembered 
the  promise  that  she  had  made  to  him  ;  and 
when  the  child  was  near  twelve  years  old,  he 
appeared  before  that  poor  mother,  more  ugly 
and  terrible  than  mind  can  conceive.  And  he 
said  : 

"  Have  a  care,  madame,  of  the  child  that  I 
have  left  in  your  keeping,  for  within  three  years 
of  this  day  you  must  deliver  him  up  to  me  body 
and  soul,  as  you  did  promise  and  give  at  the 
hour  of  his  birth.  Therefore  forget  it  not,  but 
183 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

keep  him  for  me  safely,  for  he  is  my  chattel,  the  The  Child 
which,  if  you  give  it  not  willingly,  I  shall  take  vowed  to  the 
by  force  ;  nor  will  anything   that  you  can  do  £«*/ 
save  him  out  of  my  hand." 

Then  the  Devil  returned  to  Hell,  and  that 
poor  gentlewoman  had  such  grief  of  his  words 
that  she  could  scarcely  bear  it ;  but  from  this 
day  forth  wept  and  made  her  moan  without 
ceasing.  And  when  her  little  boy  came  each 
evening  from  his  school  she  received  him  with 
tears,  and  the  more  she  looked  at  him  the  more 
sorrow  she  had  ;  nor  could  she  hear  any  speak 
of  him  without  torment.  And  at  this  the  child 
was  greatly  astonished,  for  he  could  not  under- 
stand the  cause  of  it,  and  he  asked  her,  saying : 

"  Fair  mother,  why  do  you  weep  so  much  ? 
Is  there  nought  I  can  do  to  ease  you  ?  Verily,  my 
heart  is  very  sad  because  of  this  grief  of  yours. 
My  father  has  much  joy  of  me  and  plays  with 
me  exceeding  gladly,  and  so  do  all  the  people  ; 
but  you,  mother,  sigh  so  piteously  when  you 
see  me  that  I  go  heavily  for  it.  Do  you  see 
aught  in  me  that  displeases  you,  or  is  there  any 
devoir  I  have  left  undone  ?  Tell  me,  sweet 
mother,  what  ails  you,  for  I  will  do  anything 
for  your  comfort  that  I  can." 

But  the  lady  would  tell  him  nothing,  for  she 
wished  not  that  he  should  live  three  years  in 
misery,  knowing  that  which  must  be.  But  at 
last,  because  the  time  drew  very  near  when  he 
must  leave  her,  so  great  was  her  grief  that  she 
could  hide  it  no  more  ;  and  at  the  instance  of 
her  son,  that  was  now  a  fair  youth  well  grown, 

183 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Child  she  told  him  all  the  truth — how  she  had  given 
vowed  to  the  him  to  the  Devil  at  the  hour  of  his  birth,  and 
Devil  ]1OW  the  day  was  near  when  he  must  be  deli- 

vered into  Sathan's  hand,  and  be  carried  to  Hell, 
body  and  soul. 

When  the  child  knew  this,  he  had  great  dread, 
as  well  he  might,  for  it  was  grievous  news  ;  and 
he  wept  and  moaned  right  bitterly,  and  implored 
the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  with  all  his  heart,  that 
she  would  give  him  counsel  in  his  need.     And 
having  considered   with  himself  what  were  the 
best  thing  to  do  to  save   his  soul  that  was  so 
nearly  lost,  he,  being  advised  by  that  Lady,  and 
knowing  that  in  his  father's  house  he  could  find 
no  shelter  from  the  Fiend  that  sought  him,  rose 
up  one  night  and  adventured  forth  alone  and 
full  of  grief,  quitting  his  father  and  mother  and 
all  the  joys  of  his  home  that  he  loved.     Then 
he    wandered    through    the   land,   as  a  palmer 
might  do,  ceasing  not    to    ask  counsel  of   the 
wisest  clerks  he  could  find,  for  he  hoped  that  he 
might  discover  a  remedy  for  his  misfortune ;  but 
none  could  he  find  that  had  the  wit  to  advise 
him  to  his  satisfaction. 

At  last,  when  he  had  journeyed  a  long  while, 
he  came  to  Rome,  and  there  did  see  our  Holy 
Father  the  Pope :  to  him  he  told  his  grief  with- 
out concealment.  And  the  Pope,  when  he 
heard  it,  knew  not  what  to  say,  for  this  matter 
was  too  hard  for  him  ;  nevertheless,  being  filled 
with  compassion  for  this  innocent  boy  that  stood 
in  such  peril  for  his  mother's  fault,  he  wrote  a 
letter  which  he  gave  to  the  young  man,  saying  : 
184 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

"  Fair  son,  no  help  can  I  give  you  but  this  The  Child 
parchment,  wherewith  you  must    pass    oversea,  vowed  to  the 
and  go  to  the  Patriarch  of  Jerusalem,  for  he  is  Devil 
the  wisest  man  in  all  the  world.     To  him  you 
shall  tell  all  this  matter,  doubting  nothing  ;  and, 
if  he  cannot  bring  you  from  it  safely,  then  have 
you  no  hope  save  in  God." 

The  child  took  the  parchment  and  went  his 
way  greatly  sorrowing,  for  small  hope  did  he 
have  of  this  journey,  and  now  but  a  little  while 
was  left  before  the  Fiend  must  take  him. 
And  entering  into  a  ship,  he  set  out  for  the 
Holy  Land  ;  and  he  had  great  torment  upon 
the  sea,  so  that  often  he  cried  to  God  that  He 
would  take  away  his  life  and  end  his  pain.  But 
he  came  at  last  to  land,  and  to  Jerusalem  ;  and 
there  he  sought  out  the  Patriarch  and  gave  to 
him  the  letter  of  the  Pope. 

When  this  holy  man  was  acquainted  with  the 
matter,  he  was  much  amazed  ;  and  being  greatly 
pitiful  of  this  poor  child  he  called  together  many 
wise  men  of  the  city  that  he  might  have  their 
counsel.  These,  when  they  were  come  and  had 
heard  the  adventure,  wept  for  compassion, 
gazing  on  the  fair  boy  that  so  soon  must  go  to 
Hell.  And  each  said  : 

"  Verily  God  will  be  but  neglectful  if  He  let 
this  child  be  lost  for  his  mother's  sin  ;  for  it  were 
exceeding  grievous  that  so  sweet  and  good  a 
boy  be  given  into  Sathan's  hand.  Shall  none  be 
found  that  can  intercede  for  him  with  Our  Lady 
the  Merciful  Mother,  that  she  may  save  him 
from  this  fate  ? " 

185 


THE  MIRACLES    OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Child  Then  the  Patriarch  pondered  the  matter  a 
vowed  to  the  long  while  ;  and  so  doing  there  came  at  last  into 
Devil  his  mind  a  certain  hermit,  a  very  holy  man,  that 

lived  in  such  a  state  of  perfectness  that  the 
blessed  angels  were  accustomed  to  visit  him  and 
speak  with  him  face  to  face.  Yea,  and  each  day 
an  angel  brought  him  from  Paradise  a  loaf  of 
bread,  white  as  snow,  wherewith  he  was 
nourished  ;  for  no  other  food  did  he  have  in  the 
wilderness  where  he  dwelt.  And  the  Patriarch, 
because  he  was  very  familiar  with  this  holy 
hermit,  called  the  child  to  him  and  gave  him 
certain  letters,  saying : 

"  Fair  and  sweet  son,  you  shall  go  to  this 
hermit,  with  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  most  surely 
is,  and  you  shall  tell  him  all  your  grief ;  for  so 
holy  is  he,  that  if  he  pray  God  for  you,  very 
certainly  you  shall  be  saved.  But  the  way  that 
you  must  traverse  to  come  to  his  cell  is  long 
harsh  and  difficult,  for  he  lives  in  the  midst  of 
the  desert  that  is  two  days'  journey  from  hence." 
Then  the  boy  departed  and  went  alone  into 
the  desert,  weeping  sore  and  full  of  dread ;  for 
now  but  one  day  remained  before  the  Fiend 
should  claim  him,  and  he  feared  he  might  not 
come  to  the  hermit  in  time,  but  must  encounter 
his  Enemy  in  the  wilderness  alone.  And  as  he 
went,  he  cried  to  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  and  to 
His  Mother,  Madame  Saint  Mary,  that  they 
would  be  with  him  to  keep  his  body  from  Hell. 
Then  God,  Who  had  care  of  the  child,  as  He 
hath  of  all  poor  pilgrims  in  the  world,  helped 
him  ;  and  so  well  he  sped,  that  he  came  straight 
1 86 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

to  the  place  where  that  holy  hermit  was  before  The  Child 
the  day  was  done.     And  it  happened  on  this  day,  vowed  to  the 
that  the  angel  brought  the  holy  man  two  loaves 
of  bread  instead  of  one,  by  the  which  he  knew 
that  he  should  have  a  guest ;  wherefore  he  was  ex- 
ceeding joyous,  giving  praise  and  thanks  to  God. 

And  a  little  after  the  angel  had  departed  came 
the  young  man,  and  gave  the  hermit  those  letters 
which  the  Patriarch  of  Jerusalem  had  sent. 
When  he  had  read  them,  that  good  man  was  so 
greatly  amazed  that  no  words  could  he  say  ;  but 
weeping  full  piteously  for  the  grief  of  it  he  led 
the  child  into  his  little  chapel,  and  there  did 
exhort  and  advise  him  that  he  should  set  himself 
to  prayer  forthwith.  And  greatly  he  marvelled 
that  Sathan  should  have  power  over  one  so  simple 
sweet  and  fair. 

"  Sir,"  said  the  child,  "  for  Christ's  sake  pray 
for  me  ;  for  I  am  so  full  of  fear  and  dread  that 
I  tremble  in  every  limb,  and  cannot  make  my 
orisons  as  I  should. " 

Replied  the  hermit :  "  That  will  I  surely  do, 
but  you  also  must  call  on  God  as  best  you  can. 
Remember  also  to  entreat  the  glorious  Virgin, 
for  verily  she  is  Lady  over  Heaven  and  Hell, 
and  there  is  no  door  so  strong  that  she  cannot 
open  it.  So  great  is  the  power  of  her  might  that 
where  she  is  the  Enemy  can  never  come  ;  there- 
fore call  on  her  with  all  your  heart  and  doubt 
nothing,  for  she  is  a  Mother  right  full  of  mercy 
and  love.  " 

Then  when  he  had  so  exhorted  him  they 
supped  together  on  the  angels'  bread,  that  is 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Child  sweeter  than  honey  and  whiter  than  snow,  and 
vowed  to  the  the  hermit  comforted  the  child  as  well  as  he 
Devil  could.  And  after  this  they  betook  them  again 

to  the  chapel,  and  there  said  Matins  and  Lauds 
with  great  devotion.  Then  the  hermit,  meekly 
kneeling  on  the  earth,  did  pray  heartily  for  the 
child  till  day  came,  with  tears  and  sighs  recom- 
mending him  to  God  and  Our  Lady.  And  it 
was  Easter  Eve,  wherefore,  so  soon  as  dawn  was 
near,  he  vested  himself  that  he  might  say  Mass 
right  early,  in  honour  of  Jesu  Christ  our  Lord, 
Who  did  this  day  conquer  Sathan  and  rise  tri- 
umphant from  the  dead.  And  the  young  man 
desired  greatly  that  he  might  be  commemorated 
in  this  blessed  Sacrifice,  and  also  make  his  com- 
munion that  he  might  have  his  Saviour  with 
him  ;  for  he  was  in  much  fear  lest  the  Devil 
should  surprise  him  unprotected  and  fetch  him 
suddenly  away. 

Then  the  hermit,  for  greater  safety,  took  and 
placed  the  child  between  himself  and  the  altar, 
for  there,  he  thought,  the  Fiend  could  no  wise 
come  ;  and  holding  him  thus  securely,  he  began 
the  saying  of  the  Mass.  But  the  Enemy,  that 
hateth  all  innocent  children,  had  long  desired 
this  day,  for  he  was  exceeding  impatient  to  have 
possession  of  the  boy  ;  and  when  he  saw  that  the 
holy  hermit  would  give  the  Body  of  Christ  to 
the  child,  he  was  greatly  vexed,  in  that  he  can 
in  no  wise  touch  them  that  are  made  partakers 
of  God's  Passion.  Therefore,  so  soon  as  the 
Paternoster  was  said,  he  came  quickly  and  seized 
the  boy  from  before  the  altar,  despite  all  the 
188 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

hermit    could    do    to    preserve    him.     And    he  The  Child 
carried  him  through  the  air  incontinent  to  Hell,  vowed  to  the 

Then  was  the  holy  man    altogether    beside  Devil 
himself,  seeing  his  endeavour  put  to  nought ;  and 
he  cried  to  the  Virgin  Mary  with  tears,  saying  : 

"  Ah,  Mother  of  God  !  awake  !  awake  !  for 
it  seemeth  you  have  slept  too  long  this  morn. 
Shall  one  that  was  in  your  guardianship  be  thus 
destroyed  ?  This  child,  that  was  committed  to 
your  keeping,  hath  been  taken  from  before  your 
Son's  altar  by  the  Enemy,  and  verily  he  shall 
be  lost  both  body  and  soul  if  you  succour  him 
not  as  quickly  as  you  can." 

How  greatly  powerful  are  the  prayers  of  the 
holy !  \  Right  quickly  did  the  Queen  of  Heaven 
come  to  the  help  of  that  child  when  she  heard 
the  hermit  that  asked  it.  And  she  appeared 
straitway  before  Sathan  even  as  he  came  with  his 
victim  to  Hell's  gate,  and  took  the  young  man 
from  his  hands  without  parley,  and  put  him 
back  in  the  place  whence  he  had  come  :  namely, 
between  the  hermit  and  the  altar  of  her  Son  Our 
Lord.  More  quickly  than  tongue  can  say  she 
did  it,  so  that  when  the  holy  man,  that  ceased 
not  in  his  singing  of  the  Mass,  said  "  Pax 
Domini  sit  semper  vobiscum,"  the  boy  replied 
to  him,  c<  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo." 

And  the  hermit,  hearing  it,  cried  and  said 
Deo  gratias  !  and  also  Ave,  Regina  Coelorum  ! 
for  he  was  altogether  filled  with  joy  ;  and  he 
gave  very  sweetly  to  the  child  the  Holy  Com- 
munion of  the  Body  of  Our  Lord,  the  which  he 
received  with  great  devotion.  Then,  when  Mass 

189 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Child     was  done,  and  he  had  made  his  humble  thanks- 

vowed  to  the  giving,  that  young  man  told  the  hermit  all  the 

adventure,  how  that  the  Devil  had  borne  him  to 

Hell,  and  there  he  had  seen  much  folk  in  great 

torment,  more  than  he  could  count. 

"  But,"  said  he,  "  before  I  could  pass  the  gate- 
way, that  was  very  dark  and  foul,  Our  Blessed 
Lady  came  from  Paradise  right  swiftly,  and  she 
drew  me  out  from  between  the  hands  of  Sathan, 
and  carried  me  in  her  arms  through  the  air,  and 
set  me  again  in  safety  before  this  altar  where 
I  am." 

Then  said  the  hermit  :  "  Fair  son,  this  day 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  hath  been  with  you. 
Have  a  care,  therefore,  that  henceforth  you  serve 
Him  and  His  Mother  Saint  Mary  with  all  your 
heart,  for  it  is  by  their  grace  alone  that  you  have 
been  saved  out  of  Sathan's  power." 

"  Sir,"  said  the  child,  "  Our  Lady  has  put  into 
my  heart  so  great  and  loving  ardour,  that  more  I 
could  not  desire  to  be  her  servant.  Therefore 
I  pray  you  tell  me  those  things  that  she  would 
have  me  do,  for  in  this  henceforth  is  all  my  joy." 

Then  the  holy  man  did  teach  him  very  gently 
the  knowledge  of  which  he  had  need,  and  so 
greatly  was  the  child  filled  with  burning  love 
toward  God  that  he  would  have  stayed  all  his 
days  in  that  desert  to  serve  Him  in  the  soli- 
tary life.  But  it  might  not  be,  for  his  parents  had 
need  of  him,  and  moreover  he  was  very  young. 

Therefore  he  presently  took  leave  of  the 
hermit,  and  went  his  way  to  Jerusalem  ;  and 
there  he  rendered  thanks  to  the  Patriarch, 
190 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

telling  him  the  mercy  that  he  had  had.     And  The  Child 
after  these  things,  taking  ship,  he  came  to  his  vowed  to  the 
home,    and     to    his    friends,     that    long    had 
mourned  him  for  lost.     And  when  his  mother 
saw   her   child   all   safe    and    sound,    she    had 
exceeding  great  joy,   and  did  sing,  laugh,  and 
make   feast,    giving   thanks    to    God    and    the 
Blessed  Virgin  in  that   he   was  not  destroyed 
because  of  her  sin. 

And  being  greatly  desirous  to  serve  God 
and  Saint  Mary  all  his  life,  the  child  was  made 
clerk,  and  presently  was  hallowed  priest.  And 
he  had  much  joy  of  Our  Lady's  friendship, 
for  she  filled  his  heart  with  so  pure  and  fervent 
a  love  that  compared  with  it  all  earthly  plea- 
sures seemed  but  bitterness ;  and  he  daily 
increased  in  wisdom  and  in  understanding,  as 
her  lovers  ever  do.  Long  did  he  live  in  this 
joy,  and  did  great  things  for  her  worship ;  and 
at  last  she  took  him  to  the  blessedness  of 
Heaven,  where  all  her  children  have  their  place. 

Now  this  should  be  an  ensample  to  all  parents, 
by  the  which  they  may  know  how  greatly 
perilous  it  is  to  dedicate  their  children  to  the 
Devil ;  for  he  who  so  doeth,  giveth  the  Fiend 
in  Hell  power  over  these  innocents,  the  which  is 
greatly  displeasing  to  God  and  to  His  Saints. 
And  further  we  may  know  by  this  history  how 
that  it  is  a  great  thing  and  sure  to  call  on 
Madame  Saint  Mary  in  our  need  ;  for  she 
hath  truly  great  power  to  deliver  her  friends 
from  Death  and  Sathan,  and  her  mercy  and 
lovingkindness  knows  no  end. 

191 


SPONSAE  CHRISTI 


N 


HERE  WE  TELL  HOW  OUR  LADY  DOTH 
CHERISH  HER  DAUGHTERS  IN  RELIGION, 
THAT  ARE  BETROTHED  TO  BE  THE  BRIDES 
OF  HER  DEAR  SON 

SAINT  MARY,  Queen  of  Virgins,  hath  a  Sponsae 
very  special  love  for  those  children  of  hers 
that  serve  her  in  the  cloistered  life,  having  given 
their  troth  to  Jesu  Christ  her  Son  ;  and  she 
watches  over  them  right  tenderly  and  shields 
them  from  danger  if  she  can,  that  they  may 
every  one  come  safely  to  their  heavenly  nup- 
tials, as  did  the  blessed  Saint  Catherine.  Yea  ! 
she  rebukes  them  in  their  wrongdoing  and 
strengthens  them  in  their  prayers,  nor  will  she 
let  any  that  have  given  themselves  into  her 
keeping  escape  out  of  her  hand. 

Many  are  the  snares  that  Sathan  sets  to  tempt 
Our  Lady's  daughters  from  their  home.  For 
those  that  live  in  convents  are,  as  it  were,  a 
company  kept  safe  in  a  strong  castle  that  is  de- 
fended by  the  chivalry  of  God,  where  none  may 
reach  them  from  without  to  wound  or  slay  ; 
therefore  will  he  use  much  guile  to  bring 
them  from  it,  and  set  them  again  in  the  battle- 
field of  the  world.  And  he  tempts  them  thereto 

195 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Sponsae          with    earthly    thoughts    and    vain    desire ;  yet 
Chrtstt         Saint  Mary  is  ever  at  their  side  to  keep  them 
from  his  hand,  if  they  do  but  remember  to  call 
upon  her  name. 

There  was  a  certain  young  sister  that  dwelt 

in  an  abbey  of  nuns  in  England  ;  and  she  was 

exceeding  fair  of  face,  a  most  sweet  and  comely 

maid.     Now   because   of  her   great    beauty,   a 

knight  of  the    neighbourhood    had    long    and 

ardently  tempted  this  little  sister  with   his  love, 

that  he  might  bring  her  from  her  cloister   and 

lead  her  in  the  evil  paths  of  sin  ;  and  being  very 

young  and  ignorant,  knowing  little  of  the  bliss 

of  Heaven  but  greatly  desiring  the  joys  of  our 

poor  earth,  she  listened   to  his   words.     Then, 

because  he  was  a  courteous  knight  and  debonair, 

she  became  inflamed  with  love  for  him,  and  for- 

gat  her  profession  and  that  Bridegroom  she  had 

wed,  longing  only  that  she  might  escape  out  of 

the  convent  and  have  joy  of  her  lover  in  the  world. 

Therefore    one    night    when    all    her    sisters 

slept,  this  nun  entered  very  discreetly  into  the 

cell  of  the  sister  sacristan,  and  took  from  off  the 

hook  that  was  above  her  head  the  key  of  the 

convent  door  that  hung  thereon  ;  for  she  would 

fly  to  her  lover  that  awaited  her  without  the 

gate  with  promise  of  much  happiness.     Then, 

having  taken  the  key,  full  swiftly  she  descended 

into  the  cloister,  and  would  go  to  the  door  that 

was    therein.      And    the    night    was    exceeding 

dark,  for   the  which  cause  this  young  religious 

was  full  of  dread,  being  in  the  cloister  alone  ; 

for  she  knew  that  God  was  not  with  her. 

196 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Now  there  stood  in  the  said  cloister  an  image  Sponsae 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  that  was  there  set  Christi 
up  to  watch  over  the  comings  and  goings  of  her 
daughters  therein  ;  and  when  she  passed  this 
image,  that  nun,  because  she  was  accustomed  so 
to  do,  tarried  and  saluted  it  very  devoutly, 
saying,  "  Ave  Maria  !  gratia  plena,  Dominus 
tecum  !  "  for  she  loved  that  Lady  well.  And 
also  she  said,  "  Saint  Mary,  keep  me  !  "  being 
greatly  afraid  because  of  the  darkness  and  the 
solitary  place. 

Then,  when  she  had  done  her  prayer,  she 
kissed  the  earth  and  hastened  very  quickly  to 
the  door  ;  for  she  was  much  impatient  to  be 
gone  to  the  knight  her  lover,  before  her  sisters 
should  discover  her  flight.  But  when  she  was 
come  to  the  door,  and  had  taken  the  key  that 
she  had  hid  in  the  fold  of  her  sleeve  that  she 
might  unlock  it,  behold,  she  could  in  no  wise 
make  the  said  key  to  enter  into  the  lock.  And 
she  tried  this  way  and  that,  but  still  it  refused 
her,  as  if  some  barrier  stood  between.  All  night 
she  laboured  to  open  the  door,  but  nought  could 
accomplish ;  for  so  soon  as  the  key  was  come 
near  to  its  keyhole,  there  it  stayed  and  would 
not  go  in.  And  she  was  much  perplexed,  for 
she  could  not  understand  the  matter.  And  so 
long  she  travailed,  that  at  last  dawn  came,  and 
fearing  lest  she  be  discovered,  she  went  back 
full  softly  into  the  convent,  and  laid  the  key  in 
its  place  whilst  yet  the  sacristan  slept;  and  she 
entered  into  her  cell  that  she  had  thought  not  to 
see  again,  and  laid  her  down  upon  her  bed  and 

197 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Sponsae  wept  bitterly,  for  she  was  greatly  amazed  and 
Christi  much  sorrowful  because  she  could  not  open  the 
door. 

And  the  second  night,  so  soon  as  it  was  dark, 
that  sister  rose  up  again  and  took  the  key  from 
its  place,  and  went  down  into  the  cloister ;  and 
passing  by  the  image  of  Saint  Mary,  she  saluted 
it  right  courteously  as  she  had  done  afore.  And 
all  night  she  strove  to  unlock  the  door,  but 
naught  could  accomplish,  for  still  the  key  re- 
fused her ;  and  she  was  wrathful,  for  she  feared 
lest  her  lover  grow  weary,  waiting  so  long. 
But  when  it  was  dawn  still  she  stood  within  the 
cloister  ;  and  she  went  back  to  her  cell  full 
heavily  and  laid  her  down. 

And  the  third  night,  as  she  went  through  the 
cloister,  being  full  of  melancholy  because  her 
travail  seemed  in  vain,  and  now  but  little  hope 
did  she  have  that  the  lock  would  yield,  she  cried 
to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  said  : 

"  Alas  !  dear  Lady,  what  must  I  do  ?  And 
what  is  the  magic  that  constrains  me  thus  ? 
Verily,  small  skill  should  it  need  for  them  that 
have  the  key  to  open  the  door  that  leads  unto 
the  world  ;  yet  for  all  my  toil  I  may  not 
accomplish  it." 

Then  went  she  to  the  door,  and  because  she 
was  now  greatly  impatient  and  lifted  up  with 
a  passion  of  love  for  that  knight  her  betrayer 
that  had  waited  two  nights  in  vain,  with  all  her 
strength  she  strove  to  force  her  key  into  the 
lock.  Nevertheless,  she  could  not  do  it,  for 
when  it  approached  the  keyhole  there  it  stayed, 
198 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  press  how  she  might  it  would  not  go  in.  Sponsae 
And  as  she  so  laboured  in  vain,  behold,  of  a  Christi 
sudden,  she  saw  a  hand,  exceeding  white  fair 
and  gracious,  that  was  spread  over  the  keyhole 
to  cover  it  ;  so  that  with  all  her  travail  she 
might  in  no  wise  force  the  key  into  the  lock  till 
she  had  pierced  and  wounded  the  fair  hand  that 
was  between.  And  light  came  from  this  hand, 
that  shone  in  the  darkness  ;  and  she  saw  how  that 
it  was  right  cruelly  torn  and  bruised  by  the 
great  key  that  she  did  press  into  its  tender 
palm. 

When  this  she  saw,  much  fear  and  dread  fell 
upon  that  nun,  and  she  raised  her  eyes,  that  had 
afore  been  upon  her  toil  so  that  she  saw  naught 
else  ;  and  there  she  beheld  the  glorious  form  of 
an  heavenly  Lady,  that  stood  very  meekly  at 
her  side. 

Then  this  holy  one  spake,  and  saith  to  her  : 
"  What  would  you  do,  my  daughter  ?  Would 
you  force  your  key  through  my  hand  ?  Verily, 
these  three  nights  past  you  have  done  me  great 
grief  and  anguish  ;  yet  have  I  not  forsaken  you, 
for  that  a  little  while  since  you  did  implore  me 
to  keep  you  safe  and  sound." 

Saith  the  sister :  "  Let  be,  let  be,  gracious 
Lady,  your  poor  child  and  servant,  that  I  may 
unlock  the  door  ;  for  my  lover  awaits  me  beyond 
it,  and  I  am  greatly  impatient  to  be  gone." 

The  Mother  of  Mercy  replied  to  her  :  "  And 
is  your  lover  to  whom  you  would  hasten  more 
wise,  more  sweet,  and  more  fair  than  my  Son 
your  Bridegroom  ?  Think,  my  daughter,  on 

199 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

your  vow  of  virginity,  for  this  is  a  flower  that, 
if  any  pluck  it,  you  shall  never  have  again. 
And  because  I  would  keep  this  flower  to  bloom 
in  the  garden  of  Paradise,  therefore  I  have  laid 
my  hand,  that  you  have  wounded  so  cruelly  for 
your  desire,  before  the  lock  that  should  open  to 
you  the  gate  of  Hell." 

Then  that  poor  sister  fell  down  at  the  feet  of 
the  glorious  Virgin,  weeping  right  bitterly  and 
bewailing  her  sin,  and  how  that  she  had  hurt 
God's  Mother  thereby.  And  that  compassionate 
Lady  raised  her  up  with  exceeding  courtesy  and 
lovingkindness  ;  and  she  carried  her  in  her  arms 
from  the  cloister  and  laid  her  in  her  bed  in  her 
cell.  And  the  key  she  took  in  the  hand  that  it 
had  so  grievously  wounded,  and  hung  by  the 
head  of  the  sacristan  whence  it  had  been  with- 
drawn :  that  none  might  know  how  that  one  of 
her  daughters  had  so  nearly  escaped  out  of  her 
Mother's  hands. 

Now  I  would  have  you  to  know  that  for 
these  benefits  that  the  Lady  Mary  doth  to  us, 
she  would  have  her  daughters  do  her  certain 
courtesies  again  ;  and  especially  does  she  love 
that  we  should  keep  her  in  mind  of  those  joys 
and  dolours  of  her  earthly  pilgrimage,  the  which 
mysteries  her  psalter,  that  is  the  holy  Rosary, 
recites.  Verily,  they  that  so  praise  her,  recol- 
lecting the  gladness  she  had  when  Saint  Gabriel 
did  salute  her,  and  when  that  our  Saviour  Jesu 
lay  a  Baby  in  her  arms,  shall  have  great  gueridon ; 
for  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  Our  Lady  are  every 
one  jewels  of  great  price. 
200 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

There  was  a  very  pious  lady  that  lived  in  Sponsae 
religion,  having  taken  on  her  the  rule  of  an  Christi 
anchoress  ;  and  she  had  a  little  servant  that 
brought  her  meat  and  raiment  to  the  anchorage 
in  which  she  dwelt,  that  was  set  within  the 
churchyard  wall,  for  because  of  her  profession 
she  might  not  stir  therefrom.  And  because  she 
loved  this  little  maid,  yea,  over  and  above  that 
lovingkindness  that  she  had  for  all  the  children 
of  God,  this  lady  would  teach  her  somewhat  of 
religion,  and  of  the  holy  courtesy  that  she  should 
show  our  Blessed  Lady,  that  thereby  she  might 
increase  in  godliness.  But  the  child  had  no 
scholarship,  to  read  or  count  withal ;  therefore 
her  mistress  taught  her  very  sweetly  how  that 
she  might  worship  God's  Mother  by  the  recital 
of  her  Fifteen  Mysteries,  telling  them  upon  her 
fingers  the  better  to  remember  how  they  came. 
Thus  would  she  make  her  to  say  the  prayers  of 
the  Five  Joys,  to  wit,  the  Angelic  Salutation, 
the  Visitation  of  Our  Lady,  and  the  most  blessed 
Birth  of  Jesu  Christ  her  Son,  and  also  His 
Presentation  in  the  Temple  of  His  Father,  and 
the  hour  when  His  Mother  did  find  Him  dis- 
puting with  the  doctors  therein  ;  and  whiles  she 
said  them  she  counted  on  her  finger-tips.  In 
like  manner,  she  would  tell  upon  the  middle 
joints  Saint  Mary's  Dolours,  that  she  had  for 
the  Passion  of  her  Child ;  and  her  Triumphs 
she  would  count  upon  the  knuckles  of  her 
hand.  Thus  those  fingers  wherewith  this  little 
servant  did  her  devoirs  in  the  world  became 
also  the  instrument  of  her  ghostly  duties,  and 

201 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Spomae         she  carried  upon  her  body  the  chaplet  of  her 
Christi 


And  it  happened  after  a  while  that  the  child 
found  the  way  of  death  and  entered  therein,  and 
very  sweetly  fell  asleep.  Then  was  that  lady 
anchoress  her  mistress  full  of  grief,  for  she 
loved  her  well  ;  and  she  ceased  not  to  weep  and 
mourn  her  night  and  day,  and  pray  that  her 
soul  might  be  at  peace. 

And  when  that  she  had  so  done  a  long  while, 
and  would  not  be  comforted,  behold  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  who  appeared  to  her  and  said  : 
"  My  sister,  why  do  you  weep  ?  " 

Answered  the  anchoress  :  "  Lady,  I  weep  for 
my  little  servant  that  is  dead." 

Saith  the  Mother  of  God  :  "  Weep  not,  but 
rather  rejoice  ;  for  here  is  my  little  daughter 
your  servant,  that  has  much  gladness  in  the  love 
divine.  For  because  of  that  loving  courtesy 
which  you  did  teach  her  toward  me,  she  has 
great  reward,  and  being  with  me  is  blessed  for 


ever  more." 


Then  that  holy  woman  looked,  and  beheld  by 
the  side  of  the  Queen  of  Angels  the  little  servant 
whom  she  loved  ;  and  the  child  held  out  toward 
her  the  hand  wherewith  she  had  made  count  of 
her  orisons,  and  lo  !  on  every  joint  thereof  a  fair 
ring  there  was,  all  set  with  precious  gems.  And 
they  shone  with  a  celestial  radiance,  making  glad 
the  heart,  as  do  those  Fifteen  Mysteries  that  are 
set  as  an  heavenly  treasure  in  the  Rosary  that  is 
Our  Lady's  Crown. 

Now  that  we  may  know  how  great  ^a  matter 
202 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

it  is  rightly  to  understand  the  recital  of  this  Sponsae 
devotion,  I  will  tell  here  of  a  certain  nun  whose  Chnsti 
brother,  that  was  a  knight,  was  taken  in  battle 
and  thrown  into  prison  by  the  tyrant  that  was 
his  foe.  And  when  his  sister  heard  of  it,  she 
was  full  of  grief,  for  she  loved  him  well.  Then, 
because  she  had  a  great  devotion  for  the 
glorious  Virgin,  and  trusted  altogether  in  her 
might,  she  threw  herself  down  upon  the  ground 
before  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God,  and  en- 
treated her  with  tears  and  lamentations  that  she 
would  come  to  her  brother's  relief.  And  her 
sadness  was  so  great,  that  no  other  thing  would 
come  to  her  mind  but  the  griefs  that  Lady  had, 
to  wit,  the  Passion  of  her  Son  Our  Lord,  and 
all  His  bitter  pains  ;  and  therefore  she  implored 
her  in  this  wise,  saying  : 

"  Oh,  sweet  Lady,  Queen  of  Angels,  whose 
only  Son  did  die,  as  Scripture  saith,  '  ad  prae- 
dicarem  captivis  indulgentiam,  et  clausis  aper- 
tionem,'  being  the  Redeemer  of  our  bondage  ; 
remember  now,  I  pray,  how  that  you  did  stand 
weeping  before  His  cross  in  misery,  how  that 
you  heard  the  sighs  of  His  anguish  and  could 
help  Him  not !  Remember  how  His  sacred 
flesh  was  torn  with  wounds,  and  how  that  your 
soul  was  torn  thereby  !  Remember  the  hours 
wherein  your  Son  hung  upon  the  tree  for  the 
healing  of  human  pain  !  Lo !  even  as  you 
were  intolerably  grieved  for  His  torments,  so  is 
my  heart  cruelly  torn  for  my  brother's  captivity. 
By  your  sorrows,  therefore,  oh  pitiful  Lady,  I 
confide  my  sorrows  unto  you  ;  and  I  offer  to 

203 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

you,  oh  Virgin  of  Virgins,  my  contrite  soul  to 
be  a  partaker  in  your  griefs  for  evermore,  if 
you  will  but  bring  my  brother  out  of  the  prison 
wherein  he  lies." 

Now  as  thus  she  spoke  in  her  misery,  there 
appeared  before  that  nun  the  glorious  Queen 
of  Heaven,  Mother  of  God  ;  the  which  saith 
to  her  : 

"  Daughter,  why  do  you  call  on  me  in  this 
manner  ?  Why  do  you  invoke  my  sorrows 
and  tears,  reminding  me  only  of  the  death  of 
my  dear  Son  and  all  the  anguish  that  I  then 
endured  ?  Why  do  you  not  rather  entreat  me 
in  the  name  of  that  Ineffable  Joy  which  was  shed 
abroad  through  all  the  world  for  the  redemption 
of  man  in  the  hour  when  I  gave  Him  birth  ? 
For  it  is  greatly  pleasing  to  me  that  these  glad 
mysteries  be  kept  in  remembrance,  and  I  love 
very  dearly  all  my  children  that  bring  them 
often  to  my  mind,  and  will  give  them  for  my 
joy's  sake  all  the  happiness  I  can.  But  you, 
daughter,  were  so  greatly  taken  up  with  your 
own  grief  that  you  thought  not  of  my  gladness  ; 
nevertheless,  for  the  fervour  of  your  prayer  1 
will  bring  your  brother  out  of  the  durance  in 
which  he  is.  But  that  he  may  have  his  freedom, 
you  must  give  your  soul  in  ransom  into  my 
hands,  and  I  will  bring  it  out  of  the  prison  of 
the  world  to  that  place  where  it  shall  be  purged 
of  the  sin  of  melancholy  and  learn  the  gladness 
of  the  saints ;  the  which,  heeding  not  their 
pains  and  travail,  rejoice  without  ceasing  in  the 
joy  divine." 
204 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

This  said,  that  Blessed  Lady  vanished  away  ;  Sponsac 
and  the  nun  was  alone,  for  the  vision  was  at  an  Chrlsti 
end.     And   at   the  same   time,   the   Queen   of 
Heaven  came  to  the  prison  where  that  knight 
was  captive,  and  she  opened  the  door  of  it,  and 
took  him  by  the  hand,  and  led  him  forth  very 
sweetly,  saying  : 

"  Come  !  for  I  have  received  the  price  of 
your  ransom  and  you  are  free." 

And  he  came  forth  full  of  joy,  and  went 
straightway  to  his  sister  in  religion,  the  which 
received  him  very  gladly,  giving  thanks  to  the 
glorious  Virgin  because  she  had  heard  her 
daughter's  prayer.  And  at  once  she  lay  down 
upon  her  bed  exceeding  meekly,  and  desired 
that  she  might  be  shriven  ;  for  she  knew  that 
she  must  die.  Then  came  all  the  convent, 
making  great  moan,  for  they  loved  this  sister 
well  ;  and  they  let  fetch  a  priest  that  she  might 
be  confessed,  and  partake  of  her  Saviour  to 
strengthen  her  upon  the  way.  And  so  soon 
as  she  had  that  Blessed  Food,  she  gave  her  soul 
very  humbly  into  Our  Lady's  hands  that  re- 
quired it ;  and  was  departed  out  of  this  world  to 
that  place  where  her  spirit  should  be  cleansed. 

Now  by  this  ensample  we  may  learn  in  what 
manner  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mother  of  God 
would  have  us  call  upon  her  ;  how  that  she 
would  have  us  remember  the  Angelic  Salutation, 
and  put  her  in  frequent  mind  of  her  Son's 
Ineffable  Birth.  For  greatly  does  it  pleasure 
her  to  recollect  how  in  that  hour  she  heard  the 
choirs  of  angels  that  hymned  her,  and  also  the 

205 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Spomae  rejoicings  of  the  shepherds,  and  the  kings  that 
Chrlsti  came  from  Chaldea  led  by  a  star.  And  we 
should  also  commemorate  and  applaud  the 
triumphs  of  the  glorious  Resurrection,  and  the 
forty  Sacred  Days  wherein  her  Son  did  walk  on 
earth.  For  she  loves  to  ponder  the  glory  of 
that  Redemption  which  she  did  bring  from 
Heaven  into  the  world ;  and  they  that  are  her 
friends  will  ever  keep  it  in  her  mind ;  for 
inasmuch  as  they  do  celebrate  these  joyous 
mysteries  so,  by  their  might,  will  she  bring  them 
to  a  perdurable  joy. 


206 


THE  HOSTAGE 


HOW  A  POOR  WOMAN  THAT  WAS  A  WIDOW 
DID  TAKE  FROM  GOD'S  MOTHER  HER  CHILD, 
FOR  HER  OWN  THAT  WAS  CONDEMNED  TO 
BE  HANGED 

IN  the  city  of  Rome  there  lived  a  poor  The  Hostage 
labouring  man,  the  which  had  to  wife  a 
woman  of  good  countenance  that  lived  as  re- 
ligion ordaineth  us,  doing  her  duty  towards  all. 
These  two  gained  their  bread  by  the  labour  of 
their  hands  as  best  they  might ;  but  a  child  they 
had  that  was  all  unlike  them,  for  he  was  of  a  nature 
so  evil  and  perverse  that  he  would  learn  no  trade 
nor  craft,  nor  do  aught  that  a  good  child  should 
do.  And  the  older  he  grew  the  greater  grew 
sinfulness  within  him :  he  sought  the  company 
of  the  idlers  and  the  libertines,  and  of  those  that 
take  their  ease  in  taverns,  and  no  woman  was 
safe  from  his  insults,  were  she  wife  or  maid. 
Thus  growing  in  evil,  as  those  must  ever  do 
that  will  not  grow  in  good,  he  became  at  last  a 
robber  and  a  murderer,  feared  of  all  in  the  night, 
fearing  all  in  the  day;  for  well  he  knew  that 
should  the  law  but  overtake  him,  he  would  go 
not  to  prison  but  incontinent  be  hung  for  his 
deserts. 

o  209 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Hostage  Now  his  father  fell  sick  and  died,  and  there- 
fore must  his  mother,  that  was  made  a  widow, 
get  her  livelihood  alone ;  for  her  son  helped  her 
not  at  all,  but  that  which  he  gained  by  villainy 
he  spent  in  villainy  again.  Therefore  this  poor 
woman  would  earn  her  bread  by  spinning  and 
by  such  travail  as  she  might,  and  hard  indeed 
did  she  labour  from  dawn  to  eve.  But  on  a 
Saturday  she  would  not  work  at  all,  because  it 
is  Our  Lady's  day,  for  she  had  been  accustomed 
all  her  life  to  serve  and  honour  Saint  Mary  with 
exceeding  great  devotion,  being  bred  to  pious 
uses  when  that  she  was  yet  a  child.  And  near 
to  the  place  where  she  lived  there  was  a  great 
and  fair  church  of  Our  Lady,  and  therein  an 
image  of  God's  Mother  set  upon  an  altar,  in  the 
likeness  of  a  woman  that  nursed  her  child.  It 
was  finely  gilt  and  of  right  fair  device.  This 
poor  woman  loved  that  image  so  well  that  she 
could  not  take  her  heart  from  it,  but  whether 
she  were  at  her  prayers  or  at  her  spinning,  she 
yearned  with  a  great  desire  toward  that  Mother 
who  held  alway  her  Baby  at  her  breast. 

"  Even  thus,"  said  she,  "did  I  hold  my  boy, 
that  was  once  but  simple  and  weak."  For  truly 
every  mother  has  once  nursed  the  Holy  Child. 

And  every  Saturday,  because  of  this  devotion 
of  hers,  she  made  herself  ready  at  the  hour  of 
None  and  came  to  the  church  with  a  gift  of  green 
herbage,  the  which  she  took  and  spread  before 
the  altar.  And  she  was  accustomed  also  to  offer 
two  candles,  having  fasted  the  Friday  on  bread 
and  water  that  she  might  give  them.  The  other 
210 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

women,  her  neighbours,  mocked  at  her,  for  know-  The  Hostage 

ing  that  she  lived  in  poverty  they  held  that  she  was 

a  fool  and  wastrel  thus  to  do.     Nevertheless,  so 

soon  as  None  sounded  on  Saturday,  she  lit  her 

two  candles  and  placed  them  before  the  image 

of  the  Virgin  Mary,  whom  she  honoured  with 

words  of  very  loving  devotion,  and  the  grasses 

she  spread  upon  the  floor;  and  there  she  would 

kneel  at  prayer  before  that  glorious  Lady,  nor 

would  she  move  from  her  place  until  nightfall, 

no,  not  for  any  necessity.     Verily,  she  was  a 

woman  of  pure  and  spiritual  heart,  and  God  did 

great  favours  to  her,  and  showed  Himself  to 

her,  as  He  doeth  to  all  them  that  love  Him 

truly  and  serve  Him  well.      Many  a  time  did 

she  feel  about  herself  all  the  sweetness  of  Paradise, 

so  that  had  she  done  what  she  would,  she  had 

stayed  for  ever  with  such  blessed  thoughts. 

Yet  was  this  widow  greatly  condemned  of  her 
neighbours,  that  held  her  to  be  a  dissembler  and 
an  hypocrite,  for  they  said  :  "  Better  doth  her 
spinning  wheel  profit  her  than  her  prayers,  for 
God  feedeth  her  not,  nor  payeth  her  any  wage 
for  these  hours  that  she  gives  Him."  Thus  do 
the  wicked  alway  toward  them  that  would  do 
well,  for  the  fool  ever  willeth  that  all  men  should 
be  like  to  him.  But  the  wise  man  heedeth  not 
his  words,  and  for  his  part  the  wicked  heedeth 
not  the  words  of  the  good.  Thus  doth  each 
according  to  his  part,  one  good  and  the  other 
evil. 

This  wise  woman  did  well,  thus  to  serve 
Madame  Saint  Mary  in  faith  and  in  peace,  and 

211 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Hostage  greatly  did  she  profit  of  her  love.  For  it  fell 
out  on  a  certain  Saturday,  as  she  was  at  prayer 
before  the  image,  that  her  son,  the  which  lived 
so  evil  a  life  and  governed  himself  so  ill,  was 
taken  for  thieving.  Then  was  the  reward  that 
his  acts  had  earned  meted  to  him  quickly,  for 
the  provost  of  the  city  took  him,  and  tied  him 
to  a  horse's  tail,  and  so  dragged  him  through 
the  streets  toward  the  gallows,  that  there  he 
might  be  hanged.  And  great  company  of  people 
came  after,  mocking  and  reviling  him,  and  shout- 
ing one  to  another  of  his  capture  full  gladly,  for 
he  had  been  greatly  feared. 

Then  one  cried  to  other,  saying  :  <c  Is  not  this 
the  son  of  that  old  witch  that  prays  in  the  church 
continually  ? " 

And  others  answered  them  :  "  Yea,  and  well 
have  her  prayers  been  answered.  Great  joy 
must  she  have  this  day  of  her  devotion,  when 
her  child,  that  is  all  she  has,  is  dragged  to  the 
gibbet ! " 

And  whenas  the  company  that  was  with  the 
young  man  came  past  the  church  where  she 
was,  an  old  woman  that  was  one  of  her  neigh- 
bours saw  her  through  the  door,  where  she  knelt 
and  made  her  supplications  before  Our  Lady's 
image  :  and  she  called  her,  saying  :  "  Hay, 
gossip,  come  hither  !  " 

When  that  she  had  come,  "  Hahay  !  "  said 
that  neighbour,  "  dost  know  what  has  befallen  ? 
What  a  miserable  woman  art  thou,  and  how 
little  does  God  love  thee  !  Verily,  thou  hast 
grief  and  ill-fortune  in  all  things.  Behold,  at 
212 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

this  moment  thy  dear  son  is  dragged  through  The  Hostage 
the  streets  to  the  gallows,  and  there  shall  he 
be  hanged  without  delay,  for  the  people  are  in- 
flamed against  him  ;  and  whilst  thy  child  goes 
to  his  damnation  (for  very  surely  Sathan  waits 
his  soul)  thou  kneelest  before  this  dead  image 
as  if  it  might  aid  thee  !  Now  give  up  this 
folly  of  thine,  and  this  wasting  of  thy  sub- 
stance, for  thou  seest  thou  gettest  no  help,  but 
rather  hast  lost  all  thy  care  and  pains." 

This  poor  mother,  hearing  thus  of  her  child's 
extremity,  felt  her  heart  so  greatly  moved  with 
grief  and  anguish  that  she  knew  not  what  to 
do  :  for  though  her  son  had  brought  her  much 
wretchedness,  still  she  loved  him,  being  even 
as  other  mothers  are,  the  which  are  turned  no 
wit  from  their  great  love  because  their  children 
be  perverse.  Nevertheless,  though  her  pain 
was  exceeding  great,  she  hid  that  which  was  in 
her  heart  discreetly.  "  For,"  said  she,  "  if  I 
go  out  from  the  church  and  cry  my  sorrow  in 
the  streets,  all  the  people  will  rail  against  me 
and  set  upon  me  to  hurt  me,  and  I  shall 
accomplish  nothing.  It  is  better  that  I 
stay  here  where  I  can  have  the  ear  of  our 
Merciful  Mother,  that  can  do  all  things  if  she 
will." 

Therefore  did  she  remain  standing  before 
the  image  of  Our  Lady,  gazing  upon  it  and 
thinking  full  bitterly  of  that  child  of  hers  that 
was  in  peril,  and  of  her  helplessness.  And  as 
she  so  stood  and  so  gazed  there  came  into  her 
heart  so  great  an  ardour  of  supplication  and  of 

213 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Hostage  love  that  she  burst  into  tears  and  flung  herself 
down  before  that  image,  crying  : 

"  Dear  Lady,  Holy  Mary  !  I  ask  your  help 
in  my  necessity  !  Lady,  who  didst  conceive  the 
Son  of  God  in  pure  virginity  (and  this  is  true, 
I  know  it  well),  keep  now  for  His  sake  Who 
did  save  the  thief  of  Calvary,  the  soul  and 
body  of  my  poor  son,  that  I  have  conceived 
and  borne.  Lady,  you  knew  the  death  of  your 
Son :  will  you  not  give  me  for  His  sake  the 
life  of  mine  ? " 

But  the  image  was  silent. 

Then  cried  she  again  with  a  loud  voice  ;  and 
so  greatly  was  she  moved  by  her  passion  of 
asking  that  she  was  near  to  swoon. 

"  Sweet  Lady  !  "  she  said,  "  can  you  not  do 
it  ?  Shall  my  child  be  lost  ?  Not  so,  for  I  will 
in  no  wise  consent  to  it.  My  very  sweet  Friend 
and  dear  sister  in  motherhood,  child  I  must 
have,  for  I  cannot  live  without  it.  Therefore 
give  back  to  me  my  son  that  is  lost,  or  verily 
I  will  take  your  Baby  from  you,  and  will 
hold  Him  as  hostage  and  pledge  in  place  of 


mine." 


And  this  spoken  she  seized  the  Child  of 
Our  Lady  where  it  was  in  the  arms  of  that 
image,  and  with  great  force  she  tore  it  from 
its  place  and  held  it  in  her  arms  full  closely, 
and, 

u  Lady,"  said  she,  "  let  my  child  come  back 
to  me,  or  give  me  your  Son  in  his  place  ;  for 
truly  He  gave  Himself  for  the  comforting  of 
the  sorrowful,  and  died  that  sinners  might  be 
214 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

saved.     Therefore  will  I  hold  Him  as  hostage  The  Hostage 
for  this  poor  child  of  mine." 

Now  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  who  saw  that 
the  young  man,  the  son  of  the  widow,  went  to 
his  death,  would  not  suffer  this  disgrace  ;  for 
she  could  in  no  wise  endure  to  go  without  her 
Baby,  and  further  this  poor  woman  served  her 
well.  Therefore  did  she  come  from  Heaven 
full  swiftly,  that  she  might  save  this  sinner  and 
have  her  Child  again ;  and  when  the  young  man 
was  come  to  the  gallows  whither  he  was  led, 
and  when  that  the  hangman  already  had  put 
the  rope  about  his  neck,  and  he  was  uplifted  in 
the  air  that  all  the  people  might  see  how  he 
died — at  that  hour  great  miracle  was  wrought 
before  them  that  stood  there,  and  he  was 
brought  alive  out  of  his  extremity.  For  it 
was  seen  of  all  that  this  malefactor,  as  he  hung 
on  the  gibbet,  was  lifted  up,  all  bound  and 
helpless,  and  was  carried  through  the  air,  and  so 
out  of  their  sight.  Of  a  surety  it  was  Our  Lady 
that  succoured  him  and  had  him  in  her  keeping, 
but  none  saw  her  :  for  the  light  that  was  about 
her  was  so  fair  and  bright  that  they  could  not 
endure  its  shining  to  gaze  upon  it,  and  in  that 
shining  she  was  hid.  And  she  brought  the 
young  man  safe  and  sound  into  the  precinct  of 
that  church  where  his  poor  mother  was,  that  still 
held  the  Christ-child  to  her  bosom,  and  kept  Him 
from  His  Mother's  arms  because  of  the  rage  and 
anguish  she  was  in  for  her  own  child's  sake. 

Then  came  to  her  that  young  man  her  son, 
whom  Saint  Mary  had  brought  hither,  and  he 

215 


THE   MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Hostage  put  his  arms  about  his  mother,  and  drew  her  to 
him,  and  said  : 

ct  Fair  and  dear  mother,  leave,  leave  this  Child 
Whom  you  withhold  from  His  mother's  arms, 
and  be  at  peace  ;  for  the  Mother  of  God  hath 
most  marvellously  succoured  me  for  your 
prayers,  and  that  she  may  have  again  her  Baby 
that  you  have  held  hostage  for  my  soul.  Yea, 
she  hath  brought  me  from  the  power  of  Sathan, 
though  my  bed  was  already  made  in  hell,  for 
well  I  saw  it  as  I  hung ;  but  the  Holy  Virgin 
would  not  suffer  my  damnation,  and  she  took 
me  from  the  hand  of  them  that  had  seized  me, 
even  from  the.  clutches  of  the  Enemy,  who  called 
me  to  Hell  for  the  sins  I  had  done.  I  had  put 
myself  within  his  power,  but  the  Lady  whom 
you  serve  has  ransomed  me.  Therefore  have  I 
vowed  my  life  to  her,  to  do  her  bidding  without 
fantasy,  and  ever  will  I  remain  her  loyal  and 
devoted  servant ;  for  though  great  has  been  my 
sin,  greater  far  shall  be  my  labour  in  well-doing. 
And  it  is  in  my  mind  that  I  would  enter  an 
abbey  and  put  on  me  the  habit  of  religion,  the 
better  to  be  taught  the  love  of  God  ;  thither 
will  I  straitway  go  to  make  my  peace  with  Him, 
if  that  it  be  your  will." 

"  Of  a  good  heart,  dear  son,'*  said  his  mother, 
"  for  I  am  altogether  of  your  mind." 

Then  this  good  woman  did  bow  down  her 
body  before  the  altar,  and  with  clasped  hands 
gave  thanks  to  God  and  to  His  glorious 
Mother,  for  she  was  filled  with  an  exceeding 
joy.  And  so  greatly  did  she  weep  for  the 
216 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

delight  she  had,  that  the  ground  was  wet  with  The  Hostage 
her  tears.     "  For,"  said  she,  "  my  son  that  was 
lost  is  found." 

Then  went  she  out  from  the  church  with  her 
child,  that  had  escaped  this  great  peril  both  of 
body  and  of  soul,  and  they  betook  them  to  an 
abbey  ;  and  the  Abbot  received  the  young  man 
much  willingly,  and  vested  him  as  was  right. 
And  the  mother  went  back  to  her  house,  prais- 
ing God  ;  nor  did  she  forget  her  duty,  for  she 
served  the  Lord  Christ  and  His  sweet  Mother 
ever  more  devoutly  till  her  death. 

And  her  son  governed  himself  so  well  in  that 
abbey  to  which  he  was  come,  that  he  was  made 
priest,  and  at  last  Abbot.  And  all  his  life  he 
loved  Our  Lady  and  served  her  with  a  special 
diligence,  so  that  all  who  knew  him  held  him  to 
be  a  very  holy  man.  Arid  when  he  had  lived 
many  years  he  went  from  this  world,  and  Saint 
Mary  led  him  straight  to  Heavenly  Syon,  and 
there  was  he  crowned  exceeding  gloriously  by 
her  dear  Son,  even  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  "  qui 
dixit :  Non  veni  vocare  justos,  sed  peccatores  ad 
poenitentiam." 


217 


OUR  LADY  OF  THE  LINTEL 


AND  HEREIN  OF  A  MONK  THAT  WAS  A 
PAINTER,  THE  WHICH  PAINTED  THE  DEVIL 
AS  FOULLY  AS  HE  KNEW  HOW 

SAINT  MARY,  that  is  our  dear  Lady,  had  Our  Lady 
in  the  city  of  Auxerre  a  great  and  of  the  Lintel 
splendid  abbey.  Therein  were  many  monks, 
good  and  devout  men,  that  most  heartily  served 
God  and  His  glorious  Mother  ;  for  they  kept 
their  cloister  and  their  rule,  and  were  of  an 
honest  and  an  holy  life.  And  the  church  of 
this  abbey  was  made  rich  with  paintings  and 
images  exceeding  fair,  for  many  skilled  crafts- 
men were  of  that  brotherhood  ;  and  these  gladly 
gave  the  cunning  of  their  hands  no  less  than  the 
inclinations  of  their  hearts,  for  the  greater 
honouring  of  God. 

And  this  abbey-church  had  in  the  west  of  it 
a  great  portal  that  opened  upon  the  city  street, 
whereby  the  townsfolk  might  enter  into  the 
nave  for  the  hearing  of  the  Mass.  And  this 
door,  that  was  for  them  an  ensign  of  the 
heavenly  treasure  which  their  souls  should  find 
within,  was  richly  arched  and  canopied  right 
nobly  with  mason's  work  of  fretted  stone  ;  but 
its  niches  were  empty  and  the  histories  that 

221 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady  should  complete  it  were  not  made,  because  none 
of  the  Lintel  there  were  in  the  brotherhood  that  were  fit  to 
undertake  it,  for  this  was  a  great  work.  And 
whilst  it  stood  thus,  it  chanced  that  there  came 
into  the  Order  a  certain  man  that  had  been 
a  painter  in  the  world  and  very  excellent  in 
his  craft  ;  and  now  he  wished,  for  a  vow  he 
had  made,  to  take  on  the  habit  of  religion. 
Therefore  it  seemed  most  right  to  the  con- 
vent that  this  new  brother  of  theirs,  that  had 
such  skill  in  the  painting  of  things,  should 
be  given  in  charge  the  beautifying  and  com- 
pleting of  that  door  which  bade  all  them 
that  were  of  the  city  to  the  mysteries  of  Holy 
Church. 

"  For,"  said  they,  "  this  art  of  his,  that  is  so 
far  beyond  the  common,  shall  there  cause  all 
men  as  they  pass  to  think  on  God  and  Our 
Lady  ;  and  thereby  religion  shall  be  honoured, 
and  our  house  also." 

So  was  it  done,  and  ladders  were  made,  and 
beams  laid  on  them  that  he  might  work  without 
hindrance  on  every  part  of  the  door ;  and 
loving  both  God  and  his  craft  very  greatly,  he 
entered  upon  the  work  with  joy. 

Now  this  was  a  man  most  expert  in  his  art, 
that  could  handle  both  chisel  and  brush ;  having 
also  that  eye  of  faith  which  sees  as  in  a  mirror 
the  very  lineaments  of  things  divine.  And  so 
great  pains  did  he  bestow  upon  this  porch,  that 
was  the  first  fruits  of  his  religious  life,  and  with 
such  gracious  sights  were  his  prayers  rewarded, 
that  presently  it  was  all  filled  with  fair  figures, 
222 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

to  wit  the  Blessed  Saints  that  stand  to  guide  us  Our  Lady 
to  the  gate  of  Heaven.  rfthe  Lintel 

But  without,  above  the  lintel  was  a  great  space 
wherein  no  figures  were  nor  tracery  work.  Here 
then  were  his  ladders  now  set  up,  that  he  might 
make  there  a  Majesty,  that  is  to  say  an  image 
•  of  Our  Lady  Queen  of  Heaven  reigning  glori- 
ously, and  holding  her  Child  Jesu  in  her  arms  : 
and  this  he  did  to  show  that  she  is  truly  Porta 
Coeliy  that  is,  the  Door  by  which  our  salvation 
doth  come.  And  the  said  monk  took  great 
pleasure  in  making  the  image  of  the  Most 
Blest,  for  he  had  her  always  in  his  heart.  He 
made  her  as  fair  as  he  could,  and  her  shoulders 
he  clothed  with  the  Mantle  of  Mercy,  and  on 
her  head  he  laid  the  angels'  crown.  And  he 
enthroned  her  in  the  centre  of  the  portal,  where 
all  must  see  her  as  they  passed  ;  for  was  not  the 
church  dedicate  in  her  name  ?  Never  had  more 
lovely  Lady  held  her  court  in  that  town. 

Then,  when  this  he  had  done,  that  painter 
mounted  higher,  even  to  the  gable  of  the  roof. 
There  above  all  did  he  portray  Our  Saviour 
Jesu  Christ,  as  He  sits  in  judgment  for  the 
judging  of  all  manner  of  men  ;  stern  of  aspect 
he  made  Him,  as  in  the  Dies  Irae  He  shall  be, 
and  a  rainbow  was  under  His  feet.  And  he 
made  at  the  right  hand  of  this  High  Judge  a 
Paradise  exceeding  fair,  wherein  one  might  see 
God  encompassed  by  the  angels,  of  whom  this 
part  was  full.  And  after  this,  as  tradition 
enjoins,  the  said  brother  made  a  Hell  upon  the 
other  side ;  and  he  began  to  paint  therein  an 

223 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady  image  of  the  Devil  with  his  horns  and  cloven 
of  the  Lintel  feet,  so  hideous  and  so  terrible  to  see  that  I 
think  fiend  was  never  fashioned  of  so  great  an 
hideousness  before,  no,  neither  in  painting  nor 
in  stone  ;  for  none  could  look  on  it  without 
fear.  And  so  ugly  was  this  history  of  his,  that 
Sathan  himself,  who  is  in  Hell,  was  angry 
thereat ;  for  he  is  proud  of  heart  and  loves  not 
to  be  brought  into  derision.  Therefore  he  hid 
himself  in  the  likeness  of  a  man,  and  came  from 
Hell,  and  appeared  before  this  monk,  that 
worked  yet  upon  his  likeness,  making  with  great 
skill  the  red  eyes  of  it,  and  the  tusks  that  came 
out  from  the  lips. 

Then  said  the  Devil  to  him,  as  a  gossip  might 
do  that  loved  to  watch  others  at  their  work, 

"  Hahay  !  brother,  what  do  you  here,  that 
you  so  horribly  disfigure  this  wall  ?  I  know 
not  of  what  you  can  be  thinking,  to  paint  upon 
a  church  so  foul  a  form,  nor  what  your  Abbot 
shall  say  when  he  sees  this  handiwork  of  yours. 
Naught  have  I  seen  so  hideous  as  this  history 
that  you  have  drawn,  nor  can  I  think  that  any 
man  will  endure  to  look  upon  it  twice." 

Then  the  monk  laughed  right  joyfully,  for 
he  knew  that  his  work  was  well  done ;  and  he 
answered  : 

''Fair  and  sweet  brother,  if  God  will  aid  me 
there  shall  be  in  all  the  world  no  better  nor 
more  hideous  history  of  Hell  than  that  which 
here  I  paint.  It  is  plain  that  you  are  not  accus- 
tomed to  look  upon  the  Devil  ;  but,  had  you 
ever  seen  him,  so  ugly  is  he  that  you  would  take 
224 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

little  account  of  this  picture.     And   know   well  Our  Lady 
that  if  I  can  make  it  yet  more  vile  than  now  it  of  the  Lintel 
seemeth,  that  will  I  surely  do  ;  for  he  is  indeed 
more  monstrous  than  aught  we  can  fashion  of 
our  utmost  wit." 

When  Sathan  heard  these  things  he  could  no 
longer  contain  himself,  for  he  was  exceeding 
wrath  ;  and, 

"  Have  a  care,"  saith  he,  "  for  I  am  he  whom 
you  defame,  and  I  will  in  no  wise  suffer  your 
villainy.  What  boots  it  to  you  thus  to  malign 
the  Devil?  A  pretty  trade  indeed,  to  bring 
scorn  upon  the  Prince  of  Hell !  If  thus  you 
do,  you  will  make  me  to  lose  all  the  servants  I 
have  in  this  city,  the  which  have  served  me 
truly  all  their  lives ;  for  when  they  see  so 
hideous  an  image  of  their  sovereign,  they  will 
cease  to  love  me,  and  instead  they  will  love  that 
woman  whom  I  see  that  you  have  made  below, 
for  that  she  hath  great  beauty.  A  sorry  matter, 
that  a  wench  should  take  from  Lucifer  his  due  ! 
Amend,  therefore,  this  work  of  yours,  for  it  is 
but  foolishly  done.  I  did  you  never  an  ill,  yet 
have  you  done  me  all  the  most  grievous  hurt 
you  could.  Is  this  the  precept  of  religion  ? 
Efface  this  history  whilst  you  may,  lest  I  do 
you  some  evil,  and  make  me  in  the  likeness  of 
a  young  knight  that  is  valiant  and  fair.  And  I 
warn  you  straitly  that  if  you  do  not,  you  will 
repent  it.  I  go  my  ways ;  forget  me  not,  for 
he  that  so  doeth,  doeth  but  foolishly." 

Then  Sathan  vanished  and  went  back  into 
Hell ;  and  the  monk,  that  was  the  painter, 

p  225 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady  found  himself  alone.  And  he  was  much  afraid, 
of  the  Lintel  for  he  knew  that  he  had  spoken  with  the  Prince 
of  Darkness  that  was  strong  to  hurt  him  :  yet 
it  seemed  to  him  that  some  help  he  might  have, 
if  he  but  asked  Our  Lady  for  it.  Therefore  on 
the  next  day,  when  that  the  Mass  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  had  been  sung,  he  kneeled  down  before 
her  altar  that  was  in  the  church  right  humbly, 
and  cried  to  her  with  clasped  hands,  saying  : 

"  Alas  !  dear  Lady,  what  shall  I  do  ?  The 
Devil  has  threatened  me,  and  therefore  do  I 
stand  in  great  danger  ;  for  I  know  that  he  is 
the  master  of  all  cunning  and  deceit,  and  can 
compass  my  undoing  if  he  will.  Certainly 
should  I  be  his  very  good  friend  if  I  changed 
to  fairness  his  likeness  that  is  foul,  and  gilded  it 
all  about  as  he  ordains.  Then  he  might  find 
many  lovers  in  this  city  that  now  desire  him 
not,  and  for  this  he  would  cherish  me  and  hurt 
me  not  at  all.  Alas !  poor  wretch  that  I  am  ! 
What  have  I  said  ?  Shall  I  serve  the  Devil  ? 
Shall  I  not  serve  God  and  His  Mother  ?  Verily, 
we  are  told  that  they  are  secure  that  love  God 
and  serve  Him  with  good  will ;  and  I  know 
that  none  can  serve  two  masters,  for  if  he  please 
one  he  displeases  the  other.  And  I  am  assured 
that  they  do  but  foolishly  that  leave  God  to  do 
the  bidding  of  the  Enemy  in  Hell.  Rather  is 
it  my  devoir  to  make  hideous  the  image  of  that 
Enemy,  that  the  more  I  may  put  him  to  shame 
and  despite,  for  he  tramples  on  God's  service 
wherever  and  whenever  he  can.  For  this  I  hate 
him,  as  every  religious  should  ;  therefore  I  will 
226 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

take    heart,    and    do    him    all  the    shame    and  Our  Lady 
grief  I  may,   if  God  and  Our  Lady  give  me  of  the  Lintel 
strength." 

So  it  was  that  on  the  next  morning  this 
brother  mounted  again  upon  the  ladders  ;  and 
being  full  of  good  courage  he  set  himself  to  his 
labours,  to  wit,  that  he  might  paint  the  most 
ugly  and  terrible  Devil  that  ever  limner  devised. 
Monstrous  and  crooked  he  made  him,  with 
horns  that  grew  from  his  forehead  and  hairy 
limbs  like  unto  the  beasts.  And  when  Sathan, 
that  was  once  a  fair  angel,  saw  himself  thus  made 
more  hideous  than  tofore,  and  matter  of  mockery 
to  all  that  passed,  he  was  filled  with  rage,  and 
he  came  and  appeared  to  that  painter  in  his 
proper  shape,  more  vile  and  monstrous  than 
our  wit  can  fashion  it,  for  it  is  the  very  shape  of 
sin.  And  the  said  monk,  seeing  him  thus,  was 
so  greatly  affrighted  that  more  he  could  not 
have  borne,  for  indeed  he  was  near  to  swooning 
with  the  terror  of  it. 

"  Monk,"  saith  the  Enemy,  "  I  see  that  you 
keep  not  the  rule  of  obedience  as  a  religious 
should.  Did  I  not  charge  you  yesterday  that 
you  should  cease  this  dishonouring  of  my  person, 
and  make  me  beautiful  and  gracious  even  as  I 
am  in  the  eyes  of  my  servants,  and  as  that 
woman  whom  you  have  painted  here  below  ?  " 

Now  when  Saint  Mary  heard  the  Fiend,  that 
used  her  image  with  discourtesy,  it  vexed  her 
much ;  and  she  put  courage  into  the  heart  of 
this  craftsman  of  hers  that  he  might  stand  firm 
in  her  defence.  And  being  renewed  with  great 

227 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady      love  of  that  Lady,  he  replied  to  the  Devil  right 

of  the  Lintel  boldly,  saying  : 

"  How  shall  I  do  this  ?  You  speak  but 
ignorantly,  for  it  is  the  property  of  art  to  show 
all  things  according  to  their  kind.  Know  that 
she  whom  you  see  there  is  the  Queen  of  Heaven, 
you  are  but  the  Devil  :  therefore  it  is  not  meet 
that  any  offer  you  the  worship  that  is  her  due. 
Had  I  fine  gold  here  upon  my  palette,  with  that 
I  would  surround  her  as  with  an  aureole,  for 
she  is  holy  ;  but  your  image  I  would  encompass 
with  foulness  all  I  might." 

Then  said  the  Devil,  exceeding  wrathful :  "  I 
see  well  that  you  think  yourself  no  man,  but 
rather  some  angel,  that  you  wage  war  upon  me 
thus.  Know  then  that  you  stand  within  my 
power  and  kingdom,  for  I  am  the  Prince  of  the 
Air,  and  here  have  dominion  to  raise  up  and 
cast  down  as  I  will.  Let  us  try  together  what 
helper  you  have  to  hold  you  secure  in  my  realms 
withal,  for  you  shall  stay  here  no  longer  to 
defame  me." 

Then  did  Sathan  hurl  himself  against  those 
high  ladders  and  the  beams  that  were  upon  them, 
whereon  that  painter  stood,  that  were  so  far 
above  the  earth  and  close  beneath  the  gable  of 
the  church  ;  and  he  broke  the  ladders  into  many 
pieces,  so  that  they  fell  down,  and  he  with  them, 
like  a  thunderbolt  might  do,  even  as  once  he 
fell  from  before  the  Throne  of  God.  And  the 
citizens  that  stood  below  to  watch  the  painting 
were  in  great  fear,  looking  for  the  death  of  that 
brother,  for  that  all  he  stood  on  was  destroyed. 
228 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

And  indeed  he  fell  also  ;  and  he  was   in  great  Our  Lady 
anguish  and  torment,  for  now  he  thought  that  of  the  Lintel 
he  was  lost,  and  that  the  Devil  would   bear  his 
soul  to  Hell. 

But  as  he  fell,  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying  :  "  Help  me  Saint  Mary  !  Help  me,  or 
I  die  ! "  And  after  this  he  could  speak  no 
more,  because  of  the  quickness  of  his  flight. 

Nevertheless,  Our  Lady  helped  him  ;  for  as 
that  he  fell  past  that  place  where  he  had  made 
her  image,  that  was  above  the  lintel  of  the  door, 
she  stretched  out  her  right  arm  and  took  him, 
and  drew  him  to  herself  and  held  him  fast. 
And  so  well  and  safely  did  she  hold  him,  that 
he  received  no  hurt  thereby,  but  rather  a  very 
great  beatitude ;  and  her  Child,  that  is  Our 
Lord  Jesu  Christ,  held  him  upon  the  other  side. 
So  lay  he  secure  between  God's  Mother  and 
her  Son,  as  those  that  call  on  them  in  peril  yet 
may  do. 

Now  when  this  miracle  was  seen  of  those 
that  stood  beneath,  they  cried  out  in  their 
amazement ;  and  all  the  people  ran  to  look  at 
the  marvel  of  the  image  that  held  the  painter  in 
safety,  so  that  he  was  neither  afraid  nor  suffered 
any  hurt.  For  indeed  he  was  far  above  the 
ground  where  none  might  reach  him,  neither 
had  he  any  rest  for  his  feet ;  yet  he  feared  not. 
And  all  the  religious  of  the  abbey  came,  and 
the  Lord  Abbot  with  them,  singing  devout 
antiphons  and  psalms  of  victory  :  and  when 
they  had  so  done,  and  saluted  full  courteously 
that  Queen  of  Mercy  who  had  helped  her 

229 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Our  Lady  craftsman  in  his  distress,  they  raised  a  ladder 
of  the  Lintel  that  they  might  bring  down  that  monk  from 
where  he  lay.  But  little  haste  had  he  to  de- 
scend, because  of  the  great  ease  he  was  in. 
"  For  never,"  he  said,  ct  have  I  known  so  great 
comfort  as  this,  that  I  was  held  closely  in  Our 
Lady's  arms  ;  nor  would  I  leave  it,  but  that 
I  may  serve  her  the  better  thereby." 

So,  coming  to  the  earth,  he  entered  into  the 
abbey,  and  went  straitway  to  kneel  before  the 
altar  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  that  had  saved  her 
servant's  soul  alive  when  Sathan  would  have 
destroyed  it.  And  he  gave  thanks  to  that 
Lady  weeping  ;  and  he  served  her  with  his  art 
all  the  days  of  his  life,  making  many  histories 
in  her  honour,  the  which  were  richly  coloured 
with  crimson  and  azure  and  set  about  with 
much  fine  gold.  And  in  all  things  he  worked 
right  diligently  for  the  glory  of  God  and  His 
Mother,  and  the  putting  of  their  enemies  to 
despite.  Thus  will  all  prudent  painters  ever 
do  ;  for  good  is  it  to  serve  such  a  Lord  and 
such  a  Lady,  that  keep  the  body  from  pain  and 
torment  and  bring  the  soul  to  a  perdurable 
ioy. 


230 


SAINT  MARY'S  SCHOLAR 


HOW  HE  DID  SERVE  HIS  GLORIOUS  MIS- 
TRESS; AND  OF  THE  REWARD  THAT  SHE 
GAVE  HIM 


is  the  mercy  of  Almighty  God,  for  Saint 
many  miracles  and  favours  doth  He  do 
for  His  saints  and  servants  upon  earth.  Yea  ! 
and  day  and  night  He  does  great  things  for 
His  poor  little  ones,  at  the  intercession  of  that 
Maiden  who  did  bear  Him  in  chastity  and 
nursed  Him  and  rocked  Him  to  sleep. 

Here  we  tell  the  history  of  a  certain  poor 
scholar,  the  which  was  a  very  loving  servant  of 
Madame  Saint  Mary.  He  dwelt  in  a  city  of 
Germany,  that  was  a  seat  of  learning,  and  went 
most  diligently  to  school,  there  to  be  taught 
the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the  liberal  arts  of 
rhetoric  and  grammar.  And  the  heart  of  this 
young  man  had  ever  been  inclined  towards  Our 
Lady  with  exceeding  great  love  ;  so  that  for  her 
sake  he  had  made  a  vow  of  his  virginity,  and 
shunned  all  worldly  gauds  and  vain  conceits. 
Every  day  before  he  went  to  his  school  he 
saluted  her  with  great  M  reverence  and  courtesy, 
kneeling  before  a  fair  image  of  God's  Mother 
that  there  was  in  the  church,  and  reciting  seven 

233 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

times  the  Ave  Maria  ;  nor  would  he  forego 
this  devotion  for  any  necessity.  And  this  poor 
scholar  was  accustomed  to  ask  alms  every  day 
in  the  streets  that  he  might  have  meat  and 
drink,  for  he  was  far  from  home  and  his  poverty 
was  great.  Often  his  body  went  hungry  that 
his  mind  might  have  food ;  in  that  he  was 
greatly  set  upon  the  attaining  of  scholarship. 
So  did  he  live  till  his  fifteenth  year,  in  poverty 
and  chastity,  as  Our  Lady's  servants  should ; 
nor  was  he  led  astray  by  the  evil  conversation 
of  his  fellows,  for  he  had  a  pure  and  upright 
heart. 

Now  it  befell  at  this  time  that  a  great  feast 
was  held  in  a  village  of  that  neighbourhood, 
and  all  who  went  thereto  to  make  their  orisons 
might  gain  an  indulgence  for  their  sins  ;  and  a 
fair  was  held  there  because  of  the  feast,  and 
there  was  much  buying,  selling,  and  revelry. 
Therefore  came  folk  from  all  the  country  side 
to  gain  this  indulgence,  and  the  poor  scholars 
of  the  city  also,  hoping  that  amongst  so  great 
company  many  might  have  pity  on  them  and 
give  them  an  alms.  Thither  would  Saint 
Mary's  scholar  go  to  gain  the  indulgence  ;  but 
because  he  had  no  money  to  pay  for  a  bed  at 
the  inn,  he  would  not  go  beforehand  on  the 
day  of  the  vigil,  as  did  the  other  pilgrims,  but 
rising  betimes  before  the  dawn  on  the  morning 
of  the  feast,  he  set  out  alone  upon  the  road. 

And  because  it  was  so  early,  and  he  was  in 
haste  to  be  gone,  he  forgot  to  say  the  seven 
Aves  that  he  had  vowed  to  offer  to  the  Blessed 

234 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Virgin  every  day  ;  but  when  the  sun  rose,  and  Saint 
the  time  was  come  when  he  was  accustomed  to  Marf* 
pray  to  her,  he  remembered  his  duty  that  he  Scholar 
had  left  undone.    And  he  was  heartily  sorry  for 
it,  and  grieved  greatly.     Indeed,  he  would  have 
turned  back  to  the  city,  and  gone  to  her  chapel, 
there  to  laud  her  according  to  his  wont;  but  so 
doing  he  would  have  missed  the  indulgence  he 
sought,  the  which  was  given  only  to  them  that 
heard  Mass  on  the  day  of  the  feast,  and  this 
he  could  not  bear  to  do.    Wherefore  he  kneeled 
down  in  the  road  where  he  was,  and  prayed  to 
Our  Lady,  and  said  : 

"  Most  dear  and  glorious  Virgin,  sweet 
Saint  Mary  !  Have  compassion,  I  entreat  you, 
on  the  feebleness  of  your  poor  scholar,  that  has 
forgotten  his  duty  this  day.  Dear  Lady,  be 
not  angry  with  me,  for  I  acknowledge  my  sin 
and  do  most  heartily  bewail  it.  Here  can  I 
make  you  no  amend,  but  I  do  promise  that  so 
soon  as  I  come  to  the  church  whereto  I  journey, 
I  will  go  to  your  chapel  that  is  therein,  and 
salute  your  image  and  do  penance  for  my  fault. 
And  if  that  your  chapel  be  shut,  I  will  wait 
there  till  it  be  opened,  even  until  the  hour  of 
Vespers  if  need  be  ;  nor  will  I  break  my  fast  till 
I  have  made  my  peace  with  you." 

Then  when  he  had  so  prayed,  he  kissed  the 
earth  and  went  his  way,  weeping  right  bitterly 
because  of  his  contrition  and  having  all  his 
thoughts  set  on  the  gaining  of  Our  Lady's 
forgiveness.  And  so  enrapt  in  meditation  he 
came  to  an  exceeding  great  wood,  a  very  solitary 

235 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  place,  and  his  road  lay  through   it ;  and  when 

Mary's  ne  nad  entered  therein,  he  came  presently  on  a 
Scholar  pjace  where  woodcutters  had  been,  and  the 
trees  they  had  felled  lay  still  upon  the  ground. 
There  did  he  see,  upon  one  of  the  said  trees,  an 
image  of  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary,  fairer  than 
anything  that  craftsmen  of  this  land  have  skill 
to  carve  or  paint.  He  thought  that  some 
sculptor  had  left  it  by  error  in  the  wood,  for  it 
was  most  excellently  gilt  and  coloured,  and  in 
all  respects  like  to  those  images  that  stand 
within  the  church  to  bring  the  blessed  saints 
into  our  minds.  Great  joy  had  the  poor  scholar 
when  he  saw  it,  for  now  he  might  take  his 
devotions  to  Our  Lady  without  delay.  There- 
fore, falling  on  his  knees  before  this  image,  he 
begged  Saint  Mary's  favour,  and  made  his 
prayer  to  her  in  full,  saying  seven  times  the 
Ave  Maria.  And  when  he  had  done  this, 
being  filled  with  a  great  and  pure  love,  he 
thought  what  he  might  do  as  earnest  of  his 
thankfulness,  for  that  by  this  image  she  had 
helped  him  to  redeem  his  fault.  And  it  seemed 
to  him  that  something  indeed  he  might  do  for 
it  ;  for  there  were  none  in  this  forest  to  cherish 
it,  and  ill  was  it  prepared  to  endure  the  foul 
weather  or  the  dangers  of  the  place,  having  no 
shelter  from  wind  and  rain,  nor  aught  defence 
against  the  creatures  of  the  woods. 

Then  straightway  he  let  pick  leaves  from 
the  trees,  and  made  from  them  a  little  hat,  the 
which  he  placed  upon  her  sacred  head  that  the 
birds  might  not  perch  upon  it  nor  rain  wet  it ; 
236 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  when  he  had  so  done  he  saluted  her  very  Saint 
courteously  and  went  his  way.  But  when  that  Mary's 
he  had  gone  a  little  while,  great  fervour  of  love 
came  anew  to  his  heart  for  that  fair  image,  and 
he  was  grieved  because  the  rich  colours  of  it — 
for  indeed  it  was  right  skilfully  painted  with 
azure  and  gold — should  have  naught  to  keep 
them  from  the  weather.  Therefore  he  turned 
back,  and  since  he  had  nothing  else  but  a  shirt 
and  breeches  of  linen  stuff,  and  a  cloak  where- 
with he  covered  them,  he  took  his  shirt  and 
tore  it  into  two  parts,  and  folded  it  about  the 
image  of  his  Lady  as  best  he  could,  that  it  might 
keep  her  somewhat  from  rain  and  cold.  Then 
he  wrapped  himself  in  his  cloak  to  cover  his 
nakedness,  and  set  forth  upon  his  journey  again, 
for  no  more  could  he  do. 

But  behold  !  no  sooner  was  he  gone  from  her 
than  he  heard  the  image  that  called  him  to  her 
again;  and  at  this  he  was  much  amazed,  for  he 
had  thought  it  nothing  different  from  those 
carved  images  of  wood,  the  which  are  common 
in  that  country  and  stand  in  every  church.  But 
he  knew  that  none  else  could  have  spoken  to 
him,  for  he  was  alone  in  the  forest  and  very  far 
from  any  house,  and  on  each  side  of  him  was  the 
brake  where  no  man  might  be.  Therefore  he 
came  back  quickly,  and  with  exceeding  awe  and 
reverence  did  offer  himself  wholly  to  the  Queen 
of  Angels,  for  he  believed  that  he  had  heard  her 
voice. 

Then,  whilst  he  knelt  there,  the  Blessed  Virgin 
spoke  to  him  and  said  :  "  My  little  son,  I  thank 

237 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  you  for  these  gifts  you  have  made  me;  for  indeed 

Mary's  \  nac[  great  need  of  them  for  in  that  you  have 
Scholar  clothed  this  my  image  and  have  sheltered  its 
limbs  from  cold  and  its  head  from  rain,  these 
things  have  you  done  unto  me.  Now  shall  you 
proceed  on  your  journey  to  that  shrine  whither 
you  are  bound,  and  when  you  are  come  there 
you  shall  go  to  the  bishop  and  speak  with  him  in 
my  name.  And  you  will  find  him  in  the  parson's 
house,  there  where  he  sits  at  meat  with  his  friends. 
Then  shall  you  say  to  him  :  '  My  Mistress,  that 
is  the  Virgin  Mary,  greets  you,  and  she  would 
have  you  to  know  that  I  am  her  scholar,  and 
she  would  have  me  serve  her  at  her  altar  forth- 
with. Therefore  it  is  her  will  that  you  do 
ordain  me  priest  to-morrow,  for  she  is  greatly 
impatient  to  have  me  sing  her  Mass.7 ' 

When  the  poor  scholar  heard  this,  he  thought 
it  some  jest,  or  rather  a  device  of  the  Evil  One 
to  put  foolishness  into  his  heart.  He  knew  that 
he  was  too  young  to  be  priested,  for  he  had  but 
fifteen  years,  and  but  little  learning  had  he  got 
in  divine  scholarship  ;  and  also  the  season  of 
the  orderings,  when  clerks  are  hallowed,  was 
not  come. 

But  the  Queen  of  Heaven,  who  can  read  the 
heart  though  the  tongue  be  silent,  saw  that  he 
doubted  her  words.  Therefore  she  spoke  to 
him  again  and  reassured  him,  saying  :  "  My 
little  one,  be  of  good  cheer  ;  for  all  that  I  have 
promised  shall  befall.  And  when  you  are  come 
to  the  bishop,  if  he  believe  you  not,  you  shall 
give  him  a  sign,  saying  :  c  My  lord,  I  am  come 
238 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

from  that  Lady  to  whom  you  did  devote  your-  Saint 
self  on  the  day  when  this  see  was  given  to  you.  Mary's 
For  then  you  did  secretly  vow  and  promise  that 
you  would  be  wholly  her  servant,  and  each  day 
would  salute  her,  saying  fifty  times  Ave  Maria; 
the  which  you  have  long  time  ceased  to  do. 
Therefore  she  ordains,  that  if  you  would  again 
have  her  favour,  you  make  me  priest ;  for  she 
would  have  me  serve  her  at  her  altar  all  the 
days  of  my  life.'  ' 

When  the  poor  scholar  heard  the  Lady  Mary 
thus  speak,  he  fell  down  upon  his  face  before 
her,  and  prayed  most  heartily  that  of  her  pity 
she  would  make  him  worthy  of  her  grace.  And 
when  his  prayer  was  done  he  rose  up,  and  raised 
his  eyes  toward  that  image  whence  his  happiness 
had  come  ;  but  no  image  was  there,  for  it  had 
vanished  clean  away,  and  he  was  alone  in  the 
forest. 

Then,  when  he  saw  this,  he  knew  that  Our 
Lady  had  shown  him  a  fair  miracle,  and  he 
began  to  laud  her  with  a  loud  voice,  for  he  was 
full  of  thankfulness.  And  so  praising  her,  he 
continued  on  his  road,  and  came  to  the  village 
where  the  feast  was  held,  and  to  the  church. 
There  he  went  in  and  heard  Mass,  that  he 
might  have  the  indulgence  for  his  soul ;  nor  did 
he  forget  the  glorious  Virgin,  for  he  went  to 
her  chapel  that  was  in  the  church  and  there 
made  orison.  Then  did  he  go  to  the  parson's 
house,  as  she  had  bid  him  ;  but  in  that  he  was 
now  half  naked,  having  but  his  cloak  and 
breeches,  the  porter  would  not  let  him  come 

239 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  in,  turning  him  from  the  door  with  blows  and 

Mary's  harsh  words,  as  he  did  all  poor  folk.  Never- 
Scholar  theless,  Saint  Mary's  scholar  was  nothing  dis- 
heartened; but  because  of  the  strength  that  his 
Mistress's  words  had  given  him,  he  would  not 
be  thrust  out,  but  won  past  the  door  and  came 
into  the  great  hall  where  the  bishop  sat  at  meat 
with  his  friends,  priests,  knights,  and  gentlemen 
of  the  pilgrimage.  And  he  drew  near  the  high 
board  where  the  bishop  was,  and  there  stood, 
and  cried  with  a  loud  voice  that  he  had  a  message 
of  great  import  to  deliver. 

The  bishop,  seeing  this  young  man  that  was 
clad  only  in  cloak  and  linen  breeches,  yet  spoke 
with  so  great  assurance,  supposed  he  was  some 
wandering  jester  that  had  come  to  the  fair ;  and 
he  and  all  his  company  held  their  peace,  that 
they  might  the  better  hear  his  fooling.  Then, 
when  all  were  silent,  Saint  Mary's  scholar  spoke 
as  Our  Lady  had  commanded  him,  saying  : 

u  My  Mistress,  that  is  the  Virgin  Mary, 
greets  you  ;  and  would  have  you  to  know  that 
I  am  her  scholar,  and  that  she  would  have  me 
serve  her  as  her  priest." 

But  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  the  bishop 
would  hear  him  no  longer,  crying  :  "  Fool,  jest 
how  you  will  of  such  things  as  be  lawful,  but  the 
name  of  God's  Mother  you  shall  not  bring 
into  contempt,  for  this  is  malice  and  great 
blasphemy." 

Then  said  the  scholar  :  "  This  shall  I  never 
do,  for  I  love  Our  Lady's  honour  above  all  else. 
But  the  devoir  she  has  laid  on  me  I  must  surely 
240 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

perform,  and  therefore  I  demand  that  to-morrow  Saint 
you  ordain  me  priest,  for  this  is  her  will."  Mary's 

Then  the  bishop  mocked  him  and  said : 
"  Nay,  you  are  too  finely  clad  for  the  poor 
service  of  religion;  but  very  surely  if  you  cease 
not  this  blasphemy  I  will  send  you  to  the  whip- 
ping-post, that  your  body  may  be  better  adorned 
with  many  stripes.  To  jest  is  good,  but  ill  does 
it  fare  with  them  that  lightly  speak  of  holy 
things." 

Said  the  poor  scholar  :  "  My  lord,  will  you 
send  to  the  whipping-post  the  messenger  of  that 
Lady  to  whom  you  did  on  the  day  of  your 
consecration  vow  fifty  Aves  a  day  ?  These 
you  have  not  given  her,  for  the  which  cause  she 
is  angry  ;  and  now  she  demands  a  better  chap- 
lain, that  shall  serve  her  without  neglect." 

When  the  bishop  heard  these  words  he  was 
so  greatly  astonished  that  he  rose  from  before 
the  table  and  dismissed  the  company  without 
delay  ;  and  when  they  were  gone,  he  bade 
Saint  Mary's  scholar  to  approach  him  and  sit 
by  his  side  and  tell  him  all  the  matter.  Then, 
when  he  had  heard  it,  he  fell  down  on  his  face 
before  that  glorious  Virgin,  who  had  thus  re- 
buked him  out  of  the  mouth  of  this  poor  child 
of  hers  ;  and  he  promised  that  he  would  do  in 
all  things  that  which  her  messenger  commanded, 
praying  very  humbly  that  she  would  pardon  his 
neglect. 

Then,  when  morning  was  come,  he  went  with 
the  poor  scholar  to  the  church,  and  there  did 
hallow  him :  and  when  this  was  done  he  led  him 

Q  241 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  to  Our  Lady's  altar  and  bade  him  to  be  her 

Mary's         chaplain  and  to  sing  her  Mass  forthwith.     But 

Scholar          at  tj1js  tjie  yOUng  man  was  greatly  afraid,  for  he 

was  wholly  ignorant  of  the  manner  in  which 

this  high    service  should   be   sung  :    therefore 

did  he  entreat  that  he  might  be  excused  from 

it  till  he  had  learned  somewhat  of  the  matter, 

but  that  instead  he  might  read  Mass,  the  which 

he  could  well  do. 

"Nay,"  said  the  bishop,  "this  Mass  you 
shall  sing,  for  it  is  a  Mass  of  thanksgiving. 
Have  no  fear,  for  she  who  has  sent  you  hither 
and  called  you  to  her  service  will  be  with  you 
to  aid  you  in  your  task." 

Then  said  the  young  priest  :  "  Domine,  labia 
mea  aperies  !  "  And  being  vested  he  went  to 
the  altar,  and  there  did  recite  the  confiteor  and 
the  secret  prayers.  And  when  he  had  so  done 
his  heart  was  filled  with  a  great  fervour  of  love 
divine,  and  his  tongue  being  moved  by  the  spirit 
of  wisdom  and  understanding,  he  began  to  sing 
the  Introit  of  Our  Lady,  namely,  that  which 
begins  c<  Salve  sancta  Parens,"  in  fair  and  goodly 
sort,  as  one  of  long  custom  in  that  service. 
And  lo  !  when  he  had  sung  the  words,  "  Enixa 
puerpera  Regem,"  the  whole  congregation  took 
this  song  from  his  lips  and  cried,  saying,  "  Qui 
coelum  terramque  regit  in  saecula  saeculorum." 
Therefore,  being  greatly  encouraged  by  this 
marvel,  Saint  Mary's  scholar  did  well  and 
bravely  sing  her  Mass :  so  that  one  might 
have  thought  him  a  priest  of  great  age  and 
learning,  for  love  had  made  him  wise.  And 
242 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

behold  !  when  he  came  to  the  Offertory,  the  Saint 
bishop,  who  sat  in  his  throne  that  was  in  the  Marys 
choir,  saw  great  wonder  ;  to  wit,  his  holy  Mis-  Scholar 
tress,  that  is  Our  Lady  Queen  of  Angels,  who 
came  into  the  church  with  all  her  train.  And 
she  was  most  excellently  apparelled  in  velvet 
and  silk,  and  the  clasp  of  her  mantle  shone  like 
the  stars,  and  her  crown  glittered  so  that  no  eye 
could  bear  it.  And  when  her  chaplain  sang  the 
Offertory  words,  namely,  "  Beata  es  Virgo 
Maria,  quae  omnium  portasti  Creatorem,"  this 
glorious  Lady  came  very  humbly  to  the  altar, 
and  there  she  offered,  with  exceeding  great  de- 
votion, the  little  hat  of  leaves  that  he  had  woven 
for  her  in  the  forest.  And  it  was  as  fresh  and 
green  as  in  the  hour  when  it  was  made. 

Then  she  withdrew  a  little  space  with  her 
maidens,  and  the  young  priest,  that  had  seen 
her  offering,  was  uplifted  with  right  holy  joy, 
for  now  he  knew  his  service  was  accepted.  And 
the  bishop  also  saw  the  miracle,  by  the  which 
he  was  the  more  persuaded  of  the  truth  of  all 
that  he  had  heard  ;  but  the  people  that  were  in 
the  church  saw  it  not.  And  when  the  Obla- 
tion was  made,  and  the  priest  began  the  prayer, 
"  Suscipe  sancta  Trinitas,"  again  the  Queen  of 
Angels  drew  near  him,  and  with  her  fair  and 
holy  hands  she  offered  upon  the  altar  the  linen 
shirt  wherewith  her  scholar  had  wrapped  her 
from  the  cold  :  and  when  she  had  so  done  she 
returned  to  Heaven  with  all  her  company. 

Then  did  her  chaplain  sing  her  Office  to  the 
end  exceeding  sweetly,  for  his  heart  was  full  of 

243 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  joy  ;  and  when  that  her  Son  was  present  upon 

Mary's  the  altar,  and  he  had  partaken  of  that  Blessed 
Scholar  Bread,  he  turned  and  raised  his  hands  to  bless 
the  people.  But  no  words  came  from  him  ; 
rather  stood  he  as  an  image  might  do  that 
raises  its  hands  toward  God.  Then  his  clerk, 
perceiving  that  he  spake  not,  ran  to  him,  fearing 
some  ill  ;  and  the  bishop  came  also,  full  of 
dread,  for  he  knew  that  there  was  great  and 
marvellous  work  in  the  sacring  of  this  Mass. 
And  verily,  a  fresh  marvel  there  was  ;  for  the 
soul  of  Saint  Mary's  scholar  was  gone  from  him, 
even  whilst  he  sang  his  Mistress's  Mass.  Yea, 
that  Mistresswhom  he  had  clothed  and  cherished, 
the  which  forgets  not  the  lovingkindness  of  her 
friends,  had  taken  him  altogether  to  her  keep- 
ing :  that  he  might  never  leave  her,  but  serve 
her  in  blessedness  eternal  before  the  very  Altar 
of  the  Lamb  ! 


244 


THE  CELESTIAL  MEDICINE 


HERE  TELL  WE  THE  HISTORY  OF  A  CER- 
TAIN BROTHER  THAT  WAS  CONVERTED  FROM 
THE  PRACTICE  OF  PHARMACY  TO  THAT  OF 
RELIGION  BY  OUR  LADY'S  GRACE 


I 


T  is  told  in  the  chronicle  of  the  Order  of  The 

the  Cistercians  how  that  there  lived  on  a  Celestial 
time  in  the  Abbey  of  Clairvaux  a  certain  brother,  Medmne 
that  was  exceeding  delicate  of  body,  being  full 
of  infirmities  that  tormented  him  much.     And 
he,  pondering  greatly  on  his  maladies  and  how 
best  to  heal   them,  had  become  an  herbalist  of 
much    skill,    a    wise    physician,    learned    in   all 
diseases  of  the  flesh,  and   in  the  preparation  of 
those  simples  wherewith  we  poor  children  seek 
to  cosset  and  repair  our  mortal  frame.      Indeed, 
this  was  a  man   of  great  scholarship,  virtuous 
also,    and    of  right    sober    conversation ;    but 
because  he  laboured  under  much  infirmity,  being 
ofttimes  tormented  with  a  grievous  sickness  that 
kept   him    many   days  within   his  cell,  he  was 
tempted  to  think  too  greatly  on  the  needs  of 
the  body,  as  what  he  should  eat  and  what  drink, 
and  what   cordial  were  best    against  the  cold. 
And  believing  that  he  might  not  bear  the  hard- 
ships of  religion  and  the  coarse  food  that  holy 

247 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  poverty  enjoins,  he  refused  the  common  meat  of 

Celestial  the  refectory,  that  he  might  have  some  choice 
Medicine  morsel  for  his  stomach's  sake,  and  searched  out 
vain  and  curious  medicines  for  the  solace  of  his 
poor  body  when  he  had  done  better  to  consider 
the  health  of  his  soul.  For  when  his  brethren 
were  engaged  in  holy  meditation,  this  monk  was 
ever  mixing  potions  or  seeking  rare  simples  in 
the  fields  ;  and  every  new  pain  that  he  had,  he 
would  devise  some  new  essence  to  heal  it.  And 
so  greatly  did  he  labour  in  the  practice  of  phar- 
macy, that  the  Abbot  and  his  brethren  held  him 
a  very  learned  physician,  and  they  came  oft  to 
him  for  medicine  and  for  counsel  when  any  pain 
they  had,  the  which  pleased  him  well. 

But  our  most  gentle  and  merciful  Lady,  that 
is  the  Mother  of  all  them  that  are  dedicate  to 
God,  was  grieved  for  this  religious  that  was  so 
careful  of  his  bodily  well-being  and  so  negligent 
in  the  purging  of  his  spiritual  distempers,  on 
the  which  indeed  he  pondered  not  at  all.  And 
because  of  her  compassion  she  desireth  to  bring 
all  her  erring  children  back  to  the  true  path 
whence  they  have  strayed,  she  had  it  in  her 
mind  to  correct  him,  that  he  might  learn  and 
understand  how  that  our  true  health  hangs  not 
on  our  own  cares,  but  altogether  on  the  loving- 
kindness  of  Almighty  God  ;  and  how  that  He 
cherishes  exceeding  sweetly  all  that  give  them- 
selves entirely  to  His  keeping,  and  like  as  a 
Father  doth  pity  the  simple  and  sinful,  keeping 
them  in  health  and  sickness,  and  mending  their 
grief.  For  little  do  the  ills  of  the  body  trouble 
248 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

them  that  have  the  promise  of  eternal  life,  and  The 
small  need  have  we  of  earthly  medicines  when  Celestial 

79  /T      7*     * 

we  have  partaken  of  the  healing  potion  of  His  Medicine 
grace.  But  these  things  that  poor  brother  knew 
not,  for  all  his  thoughts  were  set  on  the  gather- 
ing of  roots  and  pungent  herbs,  and  the  making 
of  unguents  and  electuaries  to  comfort  his  weak 
body  if  he  could. 

And  one  night,  when  he  had  laboured  many 
hours  at  the  distilling  of  an  essence  that  should 
be  sovereign  against  disorders  of  the  spleen,  the 
Blessed  Virgin  caused  this  monk  to  fall  into  a 
deep  sleep  there  in  the  midst  of  the  pharmacy 
where  he  tended  his  still.  And  as  he  slept  thus, 
it  appeared  to  him  that  he  was  brought  from 
this  place  and  set  in  the  choir  of  the  abbey- 
church,  and  he  saw  all  his  brethren  seated  in 
their  stalls,  and  the  Lord  Abbot  also,  and  they 
were  singing  the  Hour  of  Lauds.  But  when  he 
looked  upon  the  faces  of  his  brothers  he  had 
great  amazement ;  for  it  seemed  to  him  that 
they  were  full  sick  and  weary,  and  in  great 
need  of  refreshment.  And  he  said  within 
himself : 

"  What  has  chanced  ?  My  brethren,  that 
were  so  hale  and  hearty,  and  easily  endured  all 
the  hardships  of  the  rule,  are  become  miserable 
and  infirm,  even  as  I." 

But  little  time  had  he  to  observe  them,  for 
behold,  there  came  to  the  door  of  the  church 
the  sublime  and  humble  Mother  of  Mercy, 
even  Saint  Mary  the  Virgin,  and  the  light 
of  her  presence  fell  on  all  that  were  within 

249 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  it.     And  she  carried  in  her  hands  a  little  pyx 

Celestial        ^^  was  fu\[  of  the  mOst  precious  electuary,  and 


all  the  church  was  filled  with  the  perfume  of  it, 
that  was  as  the  scent  of  apple-blossom  in  the 
spring.  And  as  he  watched,  that  sweet  Lady 
came  into  the  choir  of  the  church  and  passed  by 
the  stalls  of  the  brethren  one  by  one  :  and  she 
stayed  before  each  of  the  monks  that  there  did 
make  orison,  and  as  they  did  open  their  mouths 
for  the  singing  of  the  psalm  she  placed  therein, 
with  her  pure  and  venerable  hands,  a  little  of 
the  electuary  that  she  carried  in  the  pyx.  And 
each,  when  he  received  it,  tasted  it  with  joy  and 
thanksgiving,  being  refreshed  with  sweet  wonder 
and  with  health  divine,  so  that  his  weariness 
vanished  and  he  felt  no  more  the  burden  of  his 
mortal  frame  ;  for  this  is  that  heavenly  medi- 
cine that  shall  be  for  the  healing  of  the  servants 
of  God. 

Then  that  brother  the  herbalist,  seeing  this 
thing,  was  filled  with  an  exceeding  joyous  ex- 
pectation ;  for  he  said  within  himself  that 
doubtless  he  also  should  receive  this  celestial 
medicine,  by  which  his  many  pains  should  be 
relieved  and  his  body  made  altogether  whole. 
And  further  he  was  greatly  curious  to  know  the 
simples  wherewith  it  was  made,  whether  they 
were  such  as  grow  in  earthly  gardens,  and  what 
cunning  had  been  used  in  the  compounding 
thereof. 

But  lo  !  when  that  holy  Virgin  came  to  the 
place  where  he  stood,  she  offered  him  not  the 
electuary  wherewith  he  had  seen  his  brethren 
250 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

fed,  but  would  have  passed  him  by.     And  he,  The 
being  greatly  disappointed,  and   full  of  dread  Celestial 
lest  he  should  miss  his  portion,  caught  her  robe 
as  she  passed  him,  and  cried,  saying  : 

"  Dear  Lady,  sweet  Saint  Mary,  will  you  not 
give  me  some  of  this  precious  medicine  ?  My 
brothers,  that  are  hale  of  body,  have  received 
it ;  but  I,  dear  Virgin,  need  it  more  than  they 
can  do,  for  I  am  a  right  sickly  man,  full  of  dis- 
tempers, that  can  scarce  bear  the  infirmities 
wherewith  I  am  distressed." 

But  the  Blessed  Virgin  looked  on  him  ex- 
ceedingly sternly  and  repulsed  him,  saying : 
"  Medice,  cura  teipsum  !  What  need  have  you 
of  our  medicines  ?  For  you  are  a  very  wise 
physician,  that  thinks  of  no  other  thing  than 
the  compounding  of  simples  for  the  healing  of 
your  pains.  It  were  a  sorry  matter  if  you,  that 
ponder  incessantly  what  meat  you  may  have, 
and  what  herbs  are  best  to  remedy  your  fever 
or  your  flux,  could  not  care  for  your  health 
alone.  But  these  your  brothers,  that  think  first 
on  God  and  His  worship,  are  in  other  case,  for 
they  have  thrown  all  their  cares  upon  my  Lord 
and  Son ;  and  they  that  so  do  are  become  my 
children,  and  I  cherish  them  and  give  them  all 
things  whereof  they  stand  in  need,  as  well  for 
the  healing  of  the  body  as  for  the  refreshment 
of  the  soul." 

When  he  heard  these  words,  that  monk  was 
filled  with  exceeding  contrition  and  amazement, 
and  he  abased  himself  right  humbly  before  the 
Queen  of  Angels,  and  promised  that  henceforth 

251 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  he  would  devote  himself   altogether  to  God : 

Celestial        thinking  no   more  of  himself,  what  he  should 

•m  JT      j  •     •  O 

eat  and  drink,  or  what  herbs  should  take  against 
his  maladies,  but  casting  all  his  care  upon  that 
Father  and  giving  himself  entirely  into  His  hand. 

And  when  she  heard  this  promise,  the  heart 
of  that  glorious  Lady,  who  is  truly  the  refuge 
and  protector  of  all  Christians  but  the  special 
helper  of  her  servants  that  have  chosen  the 
religious  life,  was  moved  towards  him  ;  and 
she  accepted  his  penitence  with  courtesy,  and 
blessed  him,  and  gave  him  from  out  her  little 
pyx  a  portion  of  the  electuary  that  he  desired. 
And  when  this  infirm  and  sickly  brother  tasted 
that  heavenly  medicine,  straitway  great  com- 
fort and  healing  entered  into  him  ;  so  that  for- 
getting all  the  ills  of  his  poor  body,  he  began  to 
praise  God  with  a  loud  voice,  for  his  heart  was 
so  greatly  uplifted  with  love  and  thanksgiving 
that  he  could  think  of  no  other  thing. 

And  as  he  was  in  the  midst  of  these  lauds 
that  he  said,  he  awoke  out  of  his  vision  ;  and 
he  found  that  he  was  no  longer  in  the  choir  of 
the  church,  but  in  the  pharmacy  wherein  he 
had  that  evening  undertaken  to  make  an  essence 
that  should  be  sovereign  against  disorders  of 
the  spleen.  And  the  still  was  there,  and  the 
vessels,  wherein  the  said  essence  should  be  pre- 
pared ;  but  now  he  looked  on  them  with  dis- 
gust, as  good  monks  should  on  fond  deceits,  for 
he  had  tasted  of  that  celestial  medicine  which 
puts  away  from  them  that  do  partake  of  it  all 
care  for  the  prosperity  of  the  flesh.  And  lo  ! 
252 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

he,  that  in  spite  of  all  his  care  and  learning  had  The 
ever  been  infirm  and  subject  to  maladies  most  Celestial 
grievous,  was  now  altogether  renewed  with 
health  and  strength ;  and  abjuring  all  herbs 
and  drugs,  forthwith  he  cast  out  from  his  cell 
his  jars  and  phials,  and  the  potions  and  powders 
that  he  had  therein,  and  seeking  no  more  to 
feed  upon  delicates  for  his  stomach's  sake,  he 
willingly  accepted  the  coarse  and  common  food 
wherewith  his  brethren  were  fed.  And  joining 
with  them  in  the  service  of  God  and  in  well- 
doing, he  was  endowed  with  health  and  strength 
both  of  body  and  soul  ;  and  he  prospered 
exceedingly  in  wisdom  and  in  love  divine,  and 
had  great  peace. 

Now  there  be  many  monks,  my  brethren, 
that,  though  they  have  chosen  the  religious  life, 
yet  seem  more  to  be  pupils  in  the  school  of 
./Esculapius  than  in  that  of  Jesu  Christ.  These, 
forgetting  how  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every 
religious  man  to  love  God  above  all  else,  to 
minister  to  His  glory,  and  to  perfect  themselves 
in  spiritual  things,  would  ever  be  seeking  the 
health  of  their  mortal  flesh,  caring  little  what 
canker  there  may  be  in  the  immortal  soul  so 
long  as  the  body  gives  not  pain.  All  the 
summer  do  these  foolish  brethren  wander  in  the 
fields,  leaving  their  convent  where  their  rule 
doth  bid  them  be,  that  they  may  seek  out  vile 
and  nauseous  herbs  and  roots  to  heal  the 
maladies  that  they  think  they  have.  And  when 
winter  comes,  no  other  care  do  they  have  but 
in  the  drying  preparation  and  commixture  of 

253 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  these    simples,    that  they  may  partake  thereof 

Celestial  and  also  give  of  them  to  their  brethren,  the 
Medicine  which,  having  their  minds  set  on  heavenly 
mysteries,  desire  them  not  at  all  ;  for  they 
know  that  God  will  have  care  of  their  bodies 
no  less  than  of  their  souls.  Thus  these  fond 
physicians,  knowing  not  that  true  and  effective 
medicine  wherewith  Our  Lady  heals  her  faithful 
children,  do  search  out  and  invent  strange  and 
dangerous  potions,  trusting  their  own  wit,  the 
which  can  help  them  not  at  all.  Let  all  such 
brothers  therefore  read  and  mark  the  ensample 
herein  writ,  that  they  may  be  taught  thereby  to 
put  more  confidence  in  God  than  in  Galen,  to 
hope  more  in  the  Queen  of  the  Heavens,  than 
in  the  herbs  of  the  field. 


254 


THE  DOVE  THAT 
RETURNED 


HOW  A  CERTAIN  CLERK  DEVOTED  TO  THE 
VIRGIN  MARY  INVOKED  THE  DEVIL  BY 
NECROMANCY,  THAT  HE  MIGHT  GAIN  A 
BRIDE  THEREBY 

THE  Devil,  that  is  our  Enemy,  doth  ever  The  Dove 
wage  great  war  upon  them  that   love  that 
and  serve   Our  Lady  Mary,   seeking  what   he  Returned 
may  do  to  tempt  them  from  her  service,  for  he 
knoweth  that  all  her  children  are  his  foes  ;  and 
especially  will  he  lead  them  if  he  can  to  choose 
another  and  an  earthly  mistress,  that  shall  turn 
from   love  celestial   to  the  enjoyment  of  this 
world's  love,  for  by  this  he  gains  great  power 
over  their  souls. 

There  was  a  certain  young  clerk  that  served 
in  the  cathedral-church  of  his  town ;  and  he 
was  a  pious  and  a  gentle  youth,  having  his 
heart  filled  with  a  pure  and  fervent  love  for 
God  and  Our  Lady,  so  that  he  served  them 
gladly  and  as  well  as  he  could.  His  bishop 
cherished  him  as  a  father  might  do,  for  he 
judged  him  to  be  a  child  of  God ;  and  he 
taught  him  much  scholarship,  and  would  keep 
him  ever  at  his  side.  And  the  young  man, 
because  of  the  great  love  he  had  for  things 

R  257 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Dove      divine,  hated  the  world,  and  longed  only  for 

that  the  time  when  he  might  be   hallowed  priest. 

Returned       Furthermore,   he   was  diligent  at  his  prayers, 

saying  each  day   with    exceeding   fervour   the 

Hours  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

Now  this  was  a  matter  greatly  vexing  to 
Sathan,  who  is  the  foe  of  all  that  Lady's  friends: 
and  seeing  how  that  this  young  clerk  increased 
in  virtue  and  religion,  he  was  jealous  to  turn 
him  from  it  and  steal  his  soul  from  God. 
Therefore  he  entered  into  his  heart,  one  day  as 
he  was  at  Vespers  in  the  choir,  and  caused  him 
to  look  upon  a  certain  maiden  of  the  congre- 
gation that  was  very  fair  of  face  :  and  the 
young  man,  when  he  saw  her,  was  suddenly 
filled  with  a  great  passion  of  love,  so  that 
forgetting  all  else  he  most  ardently  desired  her 
for  his  wife.  Then  did  he  do  great  battle  with 
himself,  for  he  knew  that  his  life  was  promised 
to  God  and  to  the  Church,  and  that  all  worldly 
love  for  him  was  but  a  sin ;  moreover,  he  was 
very  poor,  and  dared  not  ask  this  lady  of  her 
parents,  the  which  were  wealthy  folk  and  pious, 
and  were  minded  to  give  their  daughter  to  a 
nunnery  that  there  she  might  pray  for  them  all 
her  days. 

But  he  could  not  overcome  his  desire,  for 
the  Enemy  was  always  at  his  side  to  tempt  him 
with  thoughts  of  it,  so  that  he  had  no  more 
peace  nor  any  joy  in  the  service  of  God ;  and 
at  last  a  day  came  when  he  might  bear  it  no 
more,  being  indeed  ready  to  die  of  grief  and 
anguish  because  he  might  neither  have  the 

258 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

maiden  whom  he  loved  nor  find  anything  to  The  Dove 
heal    his  pain.     Then,    because  he   knew    not  that 
what  else  to  do,  Sathan  put  it  into  this  young 
man's  heart  that  he  should  have  recourse  to  a 
certain    sorcerer,    that    lived    in  that    city,   an 
heathen  man  that  was  a  friend  of  the  detested 
Evil  One,  that  he  might  have  of  him  a  love- 
philtre  or  other  villainy.     To  him  did  he  go ; 
and  when  he  was  come  into  his  house,  he  saith 
to  him : 

"  Messire,  it  is  said  that  you  are  greatly 
learned  in  the  magic  arts.  If  this  be  true, 
conjure  for  me,  I  pray  you,  the  devil  by  whom 
you  do  your  works,  that  he  may  help  me  gain 
my  mistress'  love.  If  this  you  will  do,  it  shall 
profit  you  well ;  for  I  will  give  you  all  the 
gold  that  I  possess." 

Said  the  sorcerer  :  "  My  friend,  I  am  not 
able  to  do  this  of  myself,  for  the  devil  that 
serves  me  has  not  power  for  it.  If  this  you 
indeed  desire,  you  must  put  yourself  in  the 
hands  of  his  master  and  mine,  the  Prince  of 
Hell ;  and  if  you  please  him  and  do  his  will, 
very  surely  he  will  give  you  that  which  you 
crave." 

Saith  the  clerk :  "  What  would  he  have  me 
to  do?" 

Answered  the  sorcerer  :  "  It  is  needful  that 
you  do  abjure  in  writing  the  service  of  Jesu 
Christ  your  God." 

That  poor  youth  replied  :  "I  will  do  it,  if 
thereby  I  may  have  my  sweetheart's  love." 

Then  said  the  wizard  :  "  If  indeed  you  are 

259 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Dove      ready  to  do  this,  I  will  help  you  all  I  may,  and 
that  first  I  will   dictate   the    letter    that  you  must 

Returned        carry  to  the  prince  of  Hell." 

Then  did  he  dictate  to  him  a  letter  in  this 
manner :  "  Most  puissant  Prince  and  Lord  of 
Evil !  Whereas  it  is  our  bounden  duty  to  give 
to  the  God  that  did  make  and  redeem  us  our 
love  and  all  our  works,  nevertheless,  I  do 
altogether  deny  Him  and  also  the  Christian 
religion,  and  seek  of  my  own  will  to  be  made 
of  your  company.  And  I  do  humbly  entreat, 
that  you  will  accept  this  my  service,  and  in 
recompense  thereof  will  smite  the  maiden  whom 
I  desire  with  the  pangs  of  love,  that  I  may 
have  her  to  be  my  friend.  If  this  you  will  do, 
then  am  I  your  man  for  evermore  to  serve  and 
to  obey  you." 

Then  when  this  letter  was  writ  and  engrossed, 
the  sorcerer  warned  the  young  man,  saying : 
"  You  must  go  at  a  certain  hour  of  the  night, 
and  stand  upon  the  heathen  stone  that  is 
beyond  the  gates,  and  hold  this  parchment  in 
the  air.  Then  one  will  come  who  shall  lead 
you  into  the  presence  of  Sathan,  that  there  you 
may  give  it  into  his  hands.  And  have  no  fear, 
for  thus  you  will  get  all  your  desire." 

Then  did  that  unfortunate  receive  the  parch- 
ment right  eagerly,  and  he  carried  it  in  the 
night  to  the  place  that  was  ordained  him  ;  and 
there,  standing  on  the  stone  where  heathen  men 
had  aforetime  sacrificed  to  Sathan,  he  most 
heartily  invoked  the  Prince  of  Darkness  and 
asked  him  for  his  help.  And  behold,  when  he 
260 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

had  so  done  a  little  while,  came  an  evil  spirit,   The  Dove 
the  which,  perceiving  him  to  be  altogether  led  that 
astray  and  ripe  for  deeds  of  sin,  took  him  with  Returned 
much  joy  and  brought  him  to  the  place  where 
Sathan  was,  where  he  sat  enthroned  above  the  sun 
with  the  company  of  the  wicked  all  about  him. 

And  when  he  had  received  the  letter  of  the 
sorcerer,  the  Prince  of  the  Powers  of  the  Air 
saith  to  this  young  man,  "  Credis  in  me  ? " 

Replied  the  poor  clerk,  "  Credo." 

The  Devil  then  saith  to  him,  "This  is  well; 
nevertheless,  it  does  not  content  me,  for  I  have 
great  knowledge  of  you  Christians,  how  that 
very  often  you  repudiate  your  debts  and  evade 
your  obligation.  For  you  come  to  me  when  you 
would  have  my  help  in  your  iniquities,  but 
when  all  is  done,  and  you  must  pay  me  the 
price  of  your  sin,  you  deny  me  altogether,  and 
flee  for  help  to  my  enemy  Christ :  Who, 
because  He  is  both  patient  and  merciful,  doth 
forgive  and  receive  you,  and  keeps  you  from  my 
power.  Therefore,  before  I  help  you,  you  must 
deny  the  God  in  Trinity,  in  Whose  Name  you 
were  baptized,  and  also  His  Virgin  Mother 
Mary,  giving  yourself  wholly  into  my  hands. 
For  I  would  have  you  by  my  side  at  Judgment 
Day,  that  we  may  taste  together  the  eternal 
torments  that  are  prepared  for  me." 

Said  the  clerk,  "I  cannot  deny  my  sweet 
Lady,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  for  she  hath  shown 
me  much  kindliness,  and  therefore  must  I  use 
her  courteously ;  but  all  else  will  I  do  as  you 
desire." 

261 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Then  right  solemnly  did  that  unfortunate 
abjure  his  Holy  Baptism  in  the  name  of  Father, 
Son  and  Holy  Ghost;  and  lo !  when  he  did 
reny  the  Holy  Spirit,  a  white  dove  came  from 
out  his  mouth  and  flew  away  into  highest 
heaven.  And  the  young  man  saw  it  with  dread 
and  amazement ;  nevertheless  he  repented  not 
but  persevered  to  the  end.  And  when  he  had 
done,  Sathan  saith  to  him  : 

"  I  am  content ;  but  be  not  too  sure  that 
you  shall  have  your  will  of  your  sweetheart,  for 
that  Lady  whom  you  will  not  deny  is  a  strong 
saint  and  dangerous,  and  she  will  work  against 
it  if  she  can." 

Then  did  the  Prince  of  Evil  send  a  fiend 
exceeding  subtle,  the  which  entered  into  the 
heart  of  that  maiden,  and  laboured  greatly  to 
imprint  upon  her  mind  the  image  of  the  young 
clerk  that  desired  her.  And  so  much  did  he 
tempt  her,  and  so  continually,  that  at  last,  alto- 
gether forgetting  the  religious  life  for  which 
she  was  intended,  she  became  inflamed  with 
ardent  love  for  this  young  man ;  the  which 
wrought  in  her  so  powerfully  that  she  could 
not  conceal  it,  but  came  and  threw  herself  upon 
the  ground  before  her  father,  saying  : 

"  Miserere  mei,  miserere  !  for  I  suffer  tor- 
ments of  love  for  a  certain  young  clerk  that 
sings  in  the  cathedral  choir.  Alas !  father, 
will  you  not  have  pity  on  me  and  join  me  to 
him  ?  Verily,  if  you  do  not,  in  a  very  little 
while  you  will  see  me  dead  of  love,  the  which 
you  must  justify  before  God  at  the  Doom. 
262 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Dear  father,  have  pity  on  your  flesh  and  blood  The  Dove 
that  suffers  so  great  pain,  and  deny  me  not  my  that 
heart's  desire  !  "  Returned 

Her  father  said  to  her  with  tears,  " '  Heu 
mihi  peccatori ! '  What  has  befallen  my  un- 
happy child  ?  Who  has  robbed  me  of  my 
treasure  ?  It  is  known  of  all  that  I  had  de- 
voted you  to  a  celestial  marriage,  namely,  to 
be  a  bride  of  Jesu  Christ,  that  you  might  be  of 
the  household  of  the  angels,  and  with  them  re- 
joice in  the  perfect  love  of  God.  But  now  you 
are  inflamed  with  earthly  passions,  and  desire 
the  love  of  man,  the  which  is  a  poor  and  tran- 
sitory thing.  Nevertheless,  if  husband  you 
must  have,  I  will  find  you  a  better  one  than 
this  young  man,  for  he  has  neither  nobility  nor 
wealth  ;  therefore  have  patience." 

But  the  maiden  persevered  in  her  demand, 
saying,  "  Nay,  father,  no  husband  will  I 
have  but  this,  and  no  habit  will  take  but  the 
wedding  garment.  Neither  can  I  wait,  for  I 
suffer  great  torments ;  therefore  give  me  what 
I  ask,  for  if  you  will  not  I  shall  surely  die." 

Then  was  the  poor  father  full  of  sorrow. 
"  For,"  said  he,  "  if  I  do  this  thing  I  break 
my  contract  with  God,  and  my  daughter's  soul 
will  go  down  into  the  pit."  And  he  took 
counsel  with  his  friends  what  were  best  to  be 
done.  These  said  to  him  that  it  were  better  to 
do  the  will  of  the  maiden  than  incite  her  to 
seek  death,  the  which  were  surely  a  great  crime 
displeasing  to  God  and  His  Saints.  Therefore 
at  last  he  went  to  the  bishop  and  told  him  his 

263 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  daughter's  grief,    and  asked   of   him    that    he 

Dove  that  would  release  his  clerk  from  orders,  that  they 
Returned  might  be  wed,  for  no  other  remedy  could  he 
see.  The  bishop  was  greatly  vexed  at  it,  for 
much  better  had  he  loved  that  this  clerk  whom 
he  had  cherished  should  wed  his  Heavenly 
Mistress  than  take  to  himself  a  wife  according 
to  the  world :  and  he  called  the  young  man  to 
him  and  questioned  him  straitly,  admonishing 
him  that  he  should  think  well  on  the  dis- 
courtesy he  did  to  God,  Saint  Mary,  and  the 
Church.  But  nought  that  he  could  say  might 
move  him,  so  that  at  last  he  was  forced  to 
consent  to  the  marriage  lest  worse  befall ;  and 
the  young  clerk  was  exceeding  glad,  remember- 
ing not  the  price  that  he  must  pay  to  the  Devil 
for  his  joy,  nor  how  that  God  was  no  longer 
with  him,  because  he  had  denied  His  Name. 

Now  when  the  day  of  the  wedding  was  come, 
came  the  young  clerk  and  his  friends,  and  also 
the  maiden  and  her  parents,  to  the  cathedral- 
church  for  the  saying  of  the  Nuptial  Mass. 
And  whiles  the  said  Mass  went  forward,  it  came 
of  a  sudden  into  the  mind  of  the  bridegroom 
how  that  he  had  long  neglected  to  say  the 
Hours  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  which  in  the 
time  of  his  innocence  he  had  been  accustomed 
to  recite  each  day.  Therefore  he  began  them 
forthwith,  and  said  them  to  the  end  of  Sext  : 
but  even  as  he  began  the  Hour  of  None  the 
Mass  was  ended,  and  the  priest  having  come  to 
the  dismissal,  it  was  convenient  that  he  should 
go  home  with  his  bride  and  the  guests.  Never- 
264 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

theless,  he  was  not  content  to  leave  this  Hour  The  Dove 
unsaid,  for  now  he  remembered  that  Our  Lady 
was   all    the    friend    he    had,   because    he    had 
abjured    Our    Lord    her    Son ;    for   the   which 
reason  he  stood  in  great  need  of  her  grace. 

Therefore,  when  the  time  came  that  the 
wedding  guests  should  wash  their  hands  in 
preparation  for  the  feast,  he  made  his  excuses, 
begging  that  they  would  tarry  a  little,  for  he 
stayed  not  long  away  ;  and  he  returned  back 
into  the  church  full  hastily,  and  there  kneeled 
down  before  her  altar,  and  began  to  say  the 
Hour  of  None  with  great  devotion.  But  the 
words  of  this  Office  filled  him  with  dread,  for 
they  showed  him  the  peril  in  which  he  stood, 
saying,  "Nisi  Dominus  aedificaverit  domum, 
invanum  laboraverunt  qui  aedificant  earn/'  And 
again,  "  Beati  omnes,  qui  timent  Dominum ; 
qui  ambulant  in  viis  ejus." 

And  pondering  on  these  matters  he  fell  into 
a  deep  sleep  ;  and  when  so  he  lay,  behold  !  the 
Virgin  Mary  appeared  to  him,  in  the  likeness 
of  a  right  fair  lady  :  and  she  asked  him  if  he 
knew  her,  whom  she  was. 

Said  the  bridegroom,  "  Nay,  lady,  I  know 
you  not." 

"  I  am,"  said  she,  "  that  Mary  of  whom  you 
have  just  said  the  Hour  of  None.  But  greatly 
am  I  vexed  against  you,  for  once  you  were 
devoted  to  my  service  and  that  of  my  Son  :  but 
Him  have  you  abjured  for  Sathan,  for  the 
which  you  will  be  very  surely  damned,  and  me, 
though  you  denied  me  not,  you  have  yet  left 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

for  another  woman,  to  whom  you  have  given 
all  your  love." 

When  the  young  clerk  heard  these  words,  he 
was  filled  with  a  very  fervent  sorrow  for  all  the 
evil  he  had  done  ;  and  he  fell  down  at  the  feet 
of  the  glorious  Virgin,  and  wept  bitterly,  and 
begged  her  grace.  But  she  said  : 

"  Touch  me  not :  if  you  would  have  comfort, 
go  ask  it  of  your  new  wife  whom  you  have 
taken  in  my  stead,  for  I  am  your  sweetheart  no 


more." 


"  Alas,  sweet  Lady  !  "  said  that  poor  bride- 
groom. "  Turn  not  from  me  altogether,  for 
indeed  I  am  in  sorry  case  :  and  a  heavy  darkness 
is  upon  me,  in  that  now  I  know  I  have  lost 
the  love  of  God.  I  pray  you  aid  and  counsel 
me  before  it  be  too  late,  for  I  have  not  yet  com- 
pleted this  marriage,  for  the  which  I  have  em- 
perilled  my  soul.  And  I  would  have  you 
remember,  my  very  dear  Mistress  and  Queen, 
that  I  denied  you  not,  even  though  I  abjured 
Almighty  God,  for  I  have  ever  loved  you 
exceeding  well.  Yea,  so  greatly  do  I  love  you, 
that  even  now  if  you  demand  it  I  am  ready  to 
leave  my  bride  forthwith,  and  have  no  other 
wife  but  you." 

Said  the  most  holy  Virgin,  "  If  this  you  will 
do,  I  will  aid  you  openly  and  be  your  Bride 
for  evermore :  but  first  you  must  make  your 
peace  with  God,  that  you  may  be  saved  from 
the  Enemy  in  Hell,  for  now  His  Spirit  is  no 
longer  with  you,  and  without  it  no  man  can 
have  my  love.  Go  therefore  to  your  bishop 
266 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

and  make    confession  of   your  sin,  and  faith-  The 
fully  perform  the  penance  wherewith  he  shall  Dove  that 
charge  you.     I,  meanwhile,  will  go  to  Paradise,  Re****** 
there  to  intercede  for  you  before  my  Son,  that 
He    may    bring    you  safely  out    of  Sathan's 
hand." 

Then  the  Queen  of  Angels  vanished  away, 
and  at  once  the  young  clerk  awoke  from  his 
slumber  ;  and  he  rose  up,  being  full  of  awe,  and 
thinking  no  longer  of  his  bride  nor  of  the  mar- 
riage feast.  And  he  went  straitway  to  the 
bishop,  and  kneeling  down  before  him  very 
humbly  he  accused  himself  of  mortal  sin,  telling 
him  all  his  fault — how  that  he  had  trafficked 
with  the  Prince  of  Evil  for  his  bride,  abjuring 
God  that  he  might  have  his  will,  and  how 
the  Blessed  Virgin  had  rebuked  him.  And  he 
entreated  the  bishop  very  fervently  with  tears 
and  supplications,  that  he  would  release  him 
from  this  marriage  and  save  him  from  the 
Devil  if  he  could  ;  for  now  he  knew  his  wicked- 
ness and  was  very  sorry  for  it. 

Then  was  the  bishop  full  of  joy,  seeing  his 
contrition ;  and  forthwith  he  absolved  him 
from  his  marriage  and  gave  back  the  maiden 
to  her  father,  that  she  might  serve  God  in 
the  religious  life.  But  he  had  great  dread 
because  of  the  vows  that  the  young  clerk  had 
made  to  Sathan,  by  the  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
had  been  driven  from  his  soul  ;  and  he  said  to 
him  that  an  exceeding  bitter  penance  he  must 
bear  if  he  would  overcome  the  power  of  the 
Enemy  and  have  God's  forgiveness  of  this  deadly 

267 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Dove      sin.     But  the  young  man,  being  full  of  fear  and 

that  repentance,  was  minded  to  do  everything  that 

Returned       was  needfu^   for  Our  Lady  had    put  a  great 

contrition    into    his    heart.        Therefore    the 

bishop  did  bring  him  to  a  very  solitary  place, 

where  a  cave  was  wherein  an   holy  hermit  had 

once  dwelt,  by  whose   presence  that  spot  had 

been  so  greatly  sanctified    that  no  foul  spirit 

could  come  near  it. 

And  being  come  within  this  cave,  the  bishop 
saith  to  him,  "  My  son,  here  must  you  stay 
three  days  and  three  nights,  in  honour  of  the 
Holy  Trinity  Whom  you  denied,  fasting  con- 
tinually and  beseeching  God's  grace.  And  I 
also  will  pray  for  you  all  I  can  to  Our  Lord 
and  Our  Lady,  that  you  may  have  their  pity 
and  their  love." 

Then  the  bishop  went  a  little  way  off,  and 
made  orison  to  God,  entreating  Him  most 
ardently  for  this  poor  child  that  stood  in  such 
evil  case,  that  his  penitence  might  be  accepted 
and  his  soul  released  from  Sathan's  power.  And 
when  the  first  day  was  at  an  end,  he  came  back 
to  the  young  man,  that  kneeled  before  the  door 
of  the  cave  ;  and  he  saith  to  him  : 
"  My  son,  have  you  seen  aught  ?  " 
Replied  the  penitent,  "  Yea,  I  saw  a  dove  in 
highest  heaven,  that  stayed  above  my  head." 

The  bishop  saith  to  him,  "  Wait  patiently, 
and  pray  most  earnestly  to  God." 

And  when  the  second  day  was  done,  again 
the  bishop  came  and  questioned  him,  saying  : 
"  Have  you  seen  aught  to-day  ? " 
268 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  young  man  saith,  "  I  saw  the  dove,  that  The  Dove 
came  and  hovered  close  about  my  head." 

Then  the  bishop  exhorted  him,  saying  : 
"  Watch  and  pray  without  ceasing,  for  God  is 
very  near."  And  he  went  away,  but  the  third 
day  being  done,  he  came  to  him  again  in  the 
evening,  and  said  once  more  : 

"  Have  you  seen  aught  ? " 

Then  the  young  man  fell  down  upon  the 
earth  before  him,  and  cried,  saying  :  "  My 
father,  let  us  give  thanks  to  Almighty  God, 
for  I  have  seen  a  great  mercy  this  day.  For 
the  dove  did  come,  and  stayed  above  my  head  a 
long  while,  and  I  put  out  my  hand  to  take  it ; 
and  behold  !  when  I  had  so  done,  straitway  it 
entered  into  my  mouth,  and  I  had  great  joy,  for 
I  know  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  with  me." 

Then  the  bishop  gave  thanks  with  exceeding 
fervour,  praising  God  and  Saint  Mary,  and 
saying  :  "  Behold,  my  son,  God  has  accepted 
your  repentance  at  His  Mother's  prayers,  where- 
fore you  are  delivered  out  of  the  power  of  Hell. 
See  to  it,  therefore,  that  you  serve  that  Lady 
and  her  Son  in  holiness  and  chastity  forthwith, 
that  the  Blessed  Spirit  you  have  this  day  re- 
ceived be  ever  with  you,  to  help  you  in  your 
devoir  and  make  you  acceptable  in  their  sight." 

This  did  that  clerk  most  willingly  do  ;  and 
forsaking  the  world  he  was  hallowed  priest,  and 
his  life  was  greatly  pleasing  unto  God.  And 
history  saith,  that  when  he  lay  upon  his  bed  to 
die,  the  Virgin  Mary  was  seen  visibly  who  came 
to  his  passing  ;  and  she  stood  at  the  head  of  his 

269 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Dove      bed.     And  at  the  moment  when  his  breath  did 

that  leave    him,  that  pitiful  Lady   took   from  his 

Returned       mOuth  a  white  dove,  the  which  she  received  and 

cherished  very  sweetly.     And  she  laid  it  in  her 

breast ;  and  forthwith  departing  from  that  place, 

she  carried  it  with  her  to  Paradise. 


270 


SAINT  THOMAS  OF 
CANTERBURY 


HEREIN  ARE  TOLD  CERTAIN  FAVOURS  THAT 
OUR  LADY  DID  FOR  THIS  LOVER  OF  HERS, 
AND  ALSO  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  PRIEST 
THAT  KNEW  BUT  ONE  MASS 


H 


ERE  I  will  tell  of  a  noble    work   that  Saint 

Christ's  Mother  did  for  her  dear  servant  Thomas  of 
and  martyr,  Saint  Thomas,  that  was  Bishop  of  Canterbury 
Canterbury.     In  a  good  time  began  the  friend- 
ship that  was  between  them,  to  wit,  whilst  he 
was  yet  but  a  young  scholar  in  the  University 
of  Paris  ;  for  already  he  did  love  that  Lady  with 
a  great  devotion,  and  served  her  with  his  lips 
and  with  his  life. 

And  it  happened  at  this  time  that  one  day 
he  walked  with  other  young  men,  his  fellow 
students  in  that  city,  and  they  jested  together 
concerning  the  sweethearts  that  they  had  ; 
boasting  one  against  the  other,  each  of  the 
fairness  of  his  friend.  Then  said  Saint  Thomas, 
wishing  to  prevail  over  them,  for  he  was  but  a 
young  man,  and  somewhat  vainglorious  : 

"  She  whom  I  call  sweetheart  is  fairest  of  all ; 
for  there  is  no  woman  in  all  France  to  compare 
with  her,  neither  for  beauty  nor  for  loving- 
kindness."  And  this  he  said,  meaning  by  his 

s  273 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  words  to  honour  Our  Most  Blessed  Lady,  the 

Thomas  of  Virgin  Mary ;  for  she  was  the  only  mistress 
Canterbury  t^at  he  had. 

But  his  friends,  deeming  that  he  spoke  of 
earthly  love,  laughed,  because  they  knew  that 
he  desired  to  be  priested,  and  went  little  amongst 
women.  And  they  said,  "  We  do  not  believe 
that  you  have  any  sweetheart.  If  that  you  have 
one,  tell  us  her  name,  that  we  may  know  her 
since  she  be  so  fair." 

He  answered,  "That  I  may  not  do;  but 
sweetheart  I  have  exceeding  fair  and  gracious. 
Little  would  you  heed  any  other  could  you  but 
see  her." 

Then  said  they,  "  No  doubt  this  mistress  of 
yours  has  given  you  some  gage  or  token,  as  is 
the  custom  amongst  lovers  ?  " 

"  This  hath  she  done  for  certain,"  said  he. 
"And  it  is  finer  than  any  you  have  seen." 

But  in  this  he  lied,  for  no  testimony  had  he 
received  that  Saint  Mary  accepted  his  devotion. 

Then  one  and  another  showed  the  love-gage 
that  he  had,  and  said,  "  Is  it  fairer  than  this  ? " 
And  he  answered,  "  It  is  more  lovely  by  far." 
And  so  at  last  his  fellows  were  provoked  by 
this  boasting,  and  they  said,  "  If  you  will  not 
tell  us  the  name  of  your  mistress,  show  us  at 
least  her  love-token,  that  we  may  know  you 
speak  truth." 

He  said,  "  That  I  cannot  do." 

They  answered,  "  If  you  cannot,  it  is  because 
you  have  it  not.  And  now  we  believe  not  that 
you  have  any  sweetheart,  or  if  you  have,  it  is 
274 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

but  some  serving-wench  whose  kisses  you  buy  Saint 

of  her,  and  she  has  given  you  no  token."  Thomas  of 

And  he  was  abashed  and  could  not  answer.      Canterbury 

Then  they  departed  from  him,  and  Saint 
Thomas  went  to  his  home.  And  now  he  was 
full  of  grief,  for  it  seemed  to  him  that  by  his 
idle  boasting  he  had  defaced  the  honour  of  his 
glorious  Mistress,  that  should  be  to  him  so  great 
a  treasure,  for  that  he  had  made  her  holy  name 
the  subject  of  light  talk  and  vain  dispute. 
Therefore,  going  into  his  oratory,  he  fell  on 
his  knees  before  her  image  and  cried  her  mercy 
very  humbly,  saying  : 

"  Alas,  most  blessed  Virgin !  How  great 
has  been  my  presumption,  in  that  I  have  dared 
to  call  you  friend,  and  set  your  love  against 
that  of  earthly  women !  And  by  this  1  have 
been  led  to  worldly  conversation,  to  vainglory 
and  untruthfulness,  a  thing  that  ill  becomes 
your  loyal  servitors.  And  little  benefit  have  I 
got  of  this  fault,  for  my  companions  that  1 
undertook  to  deceive  know  well  that  I  have  lied 
to  them,  and  for  this  they  will  despise  me,  as 
they  should.  Great  Queen  and  dearest  Lady, 
I  do  most  heartily  entreat  your  pardon,  the 
which  if  you  will  grant  it  me,  I  will  serve  you 
henceforth  in  secret  all  my  life,  for  most  truly 
I  love  you  ;  nor  will  I  be  ever  led  to  the  mis- 
using of  your  name." 

Then  he  made  his  devotion  with  tears  and 
supplications,  saying  Salve  Regina  and  Ave> 
Maria  !  very  devoutly,  as  her  servants  should. 

Now  when  God's  Mother  saw  his  repentance 

275 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  she  had  pity  on  her  servant,  for  she  knew  that 

Thomas  of  he  loved  her  truly  and  was  of  an  upright  life, 
Canterbury  an(j  jt  displeased  her  that  he  should  be  brought 
into  contempt  for  that  by  reverence  he  would 
not  name  her  to  his  companions  that  demanded 
it.  Therefore  she  came,  and  appeared  before 
him  in  that  oratory,  and  spoke  to  him  comfort- 
able words  of  pardon  and  encouragement. 

And  she  said,  "Know,  Thomas,  that  I  am 
most  truly  your  Friend  and  Sweetheart,  that  am 
ever  with  you  to  be  companion  of  your  loneli- 
ness and  help  in  your  need ;  therefore  fear  not 
to  confess  me,  for  none  may  have  more  faithful 
nor  more  loving  Bride.  And  I  have  brought 
you  a  love-gage,  in  token  of  the  troth  that  is 
between  us  ;  and  it  is  my  will  that  you  take 
and  carry  it  to  your  companions  that  they  may 
know  that  you  speak  truth." 

Then  did  the  Queen  of  Angels  give  into  the 
hands  of  Saint  Thomas  a  little  casket,  most 
fairly  wrought  of  goldsmiths'  work  and  set  with 
precious  stones.  On  the  sides  of  it  was  em- 
blazoned in  fair  colours  the  lily-flower  of  Our 
Lady,  and  about  it  much  tabernacle  work  in  the 
manner  of  those  coffers  wherein  are  kept  the 
relics  of  the  saints. 

And  she  said  to  him,  "  Take  heed  of  this  gift, 
for  know  that  all  your  life  and  all  your  honour 
is  therein.  Yea  !  not  alone  the  glories  of  your 
earthly  pilgrimage,  but  that  perdurable  joy 
which  my  Son  has  laid  up  for  those  our  servants 
that  will  be  faithful  even  unto  death.  '  Pretiosa 
in  conspectu  Domini  mors  Sanctorum  ejus.' ' 
276 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Then  that  most  gracious  Queen  departed,  and  Saint 
went  back  to  Paradise,  where  of  her  infinite  Thomas  of 
compassion  she  does  intercede  for  us  before  her  Canterbury 
Son.  And  Saint  Thomas,  being  filled  with  new 
courage  by  reason  of  the  mercy  he  had  had, 
went  and  sought  out  his  companions,  and  he 
showed  to  them  his  love-gage,  and  told  them 
all  that  had  passed  :  how  that  he  was  dedicate 
to  Our  Lady,  and  how  that  she  had  wrought 
for  him  this  miracle  that  she  might  give  him 
token  of  her  love.  Then  took  they  the  little 
casket  to  open  it,  for  they  greatly  desired  to  see 
what  was  therein,  for  that  she  had  said  that  all 
his  life  and  honour  were  in  it.  And  when  it 
was  open  they  found  a  little  vestment,  most 
marvellously  fashioned  of  the  fairest  stuffs:  and 
they  were  filled  with  amazement,  for  these  were 
those  robes  that  bishops  wear  when  they  say 
Our  Lady's  Mass.  By  this  token  they  all  did 
know  that  the  glorious  Virgin  was  truly  the 
friend  of  Saint  Thomas,  and  that  she  was 
minded  to  bring  her  lover  to  great  honour  in 
the  Church,  and  to  the  charge  and  governance 
of  many  souls.  For  this  cause  they  gave  him 
worship,  yet  he  held  himself  ever  very  humbly, 
since  he  knew  that  to  his  Mistress  belonged  the 
praise. 

Now  when  that  Our  Lady's  promise  was 
accomplished,  and  Saint  Thomas  was  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury  and  Primate  of  this  land, 
she  did  to  him  another  courtesy ;  for  she 
forgets  not  her  lovers  ever,  as  earthly  women 
do,  but  is  ever  quick  to  do  them  kindliness. 

277 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  At  this  time  that  holy  bishop  was  driven  by 

Thomas  of  God's  enemies  into  exile ;  and  he  fled  into 
Canterbury  France)  to  Pontigny,  and  dwelt  in  the  monastery 
of  the  Cistercians  in  that  town.  And  for 
many  years  Saint  Thomas  had  worn  next  to 
his  skin  a  shirt  and  breeches  made  of  hair ;  for 
the  greater  mortification  of  his  flesh,  and  that 
he  might  ever  keep  in  mind  his  Saviour's  pains. 
But  none  knew  it,  save  only  a  holy  woman,  an 
anchoress  of  Canterbury,  to  whom  he  would 
take  the  said  garments  so  that  she  might  mend 
them. 

But  when  that  he  was  compelled  to  flee  into 
France  for  his  safety,  because  of  the  suddenness 
of  his  going  he  could  not  provide  himself  with 
a  change  of  this  vesture ;  and  for  that  it  was 
very  old  and  greatly  worn,  that  which  he  had 
on  him  was  falling  to  pieces.  Therefore,  being 
in  Pontigny,  where  he  might  not  get  what  he 
needed  without  disclosing  the  matter,  which 
for  humility's  sake  he  did  not  desire  to  do, 
Saint  Thomas  was  in  great  perplexity ;  for 
indeed  his  breeches  fell  into  many  holes,  and 
would  scarce  stay  on  him.  Thus  it  was,  that 
one  day,  finding  himself  alone  in  the  monastery 
church,  and  being  in  the  chapel  of  Our  Lady 
at  the  head  of  the  choir  where  few  passed  save 
at  the  hour  of  her  Office,  it  came  into  his  mind 
that  he  would  try  what  he  might  do  for  the 
mending  of  the  said  hair  breeches.  And  he 
took  them  off  his  body  very  discreetly,  and 
examined  them  where  they  should  be  sewed. 
But  at  this  craft  Saint  Thomas  had  no  skill, 

278 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

being  indeed  wholly  ignorant  of  the  matter,  as  Saint 

is  the  manner  of  men ;  and  how  to  begin  he  Thomas  of 

knew  not,  nor  yet  what  contrivance  he  must  Canterbury 

use,  for  he  had  not  the  needle  and  thread  that 

the  business  required.     But  far  otherwise  was 

it   with  his  Sweetheart,  that  is  the    Queen  of 

Ladies.     Of  such  matters  the  Blessed  Virgin 

is  not  ignorant ;  nay,  rather  is  she  skilful   in 

the  rendering  of  womanly  service,  for  she  is 

the  very  Pattern  of  right  womanhood. 

Therefore  she  came,  and  saluted  that  bishop 
her  lover  with  much  courtesy,  and  comforted 
his  fears.  "  What  !  "  she  said,  "  would  you 
do  this  alone,  that  might  have  your  Friend  to 
help  you  ?  Let  be,  for  this  is  woman's  work." 

And  thus  said,  she  took  the  breeches  from 
his  hands  and  sat  down  beside  him,  and  re- 
paired all  the  rents  that  were  in  them  most 
properly  and  well.  And  when  the  work  was 
done,  she  vanished. 

Then  did  Saint  Thomas  burst  into  tears,  and 
he  fell  down  on  his  knees  and  lauded  the 
glorious  Virgin  right  lovingly,  because  she  had 
remembered  her  servant  and  humbled  herself 
to  minister  to  his  needs.  And  he  did  on  the 
clothing  that  she  had  mended  for  him,  for  now 
it  was  made  new  and  whole  ;  and  so  great  was 
the  joy  he  had  of  it  that  it  seemed  softer  than 
the  finest  silk.  But  he  told  this  adventure  to 
none,  for  he  feared  to  boast  of  the  favour  that 
his  Lady  had  shown  him. 

Now  that  all  may  know  that  this  history  is 
true,  I  will  here  put  in  writing  another  marvel 

279 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  that    befell    to    Saint    Thomas,    after    that   he 

Thomas  of  returned  to  his  cathedral-church  of  Canterbury 
Canterbury  in  England.  For  because  of  the  prayers  that 
he  made  to  Our  Lady  his  helper,  for  the  heal- 
ing of  that  strife  which  was  therein  between 
the  King  and  Holy  Church,  Philip  King  of 
France  did  contrive  the  matter,  and  peace  was 
made.  So  Saint  Thomas  might  go  again  to 
the  Kingdom  of  England,  there  to  minister  to 
his  faithful  folk. 

Now  when  he  had  been  some  while  there 
established,  dissension  arose  within  his  diocese, 
because  certain  men,  the  which  were  but 
Pharisees  and  hypocrites,  accused  to  his  vicar  a 
priest  of  the  place,  that  was  of  right  happy  and 
holy  life,  making  complaint  of  him  that  he 
never  celebrated  any  other  Mass  than  that  of 
the  Most  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  For  this  was 
a  young  man  that  lived  wholly  in  the  love  of 
Our  Lady ;  but  though  he  had  a  heart  full  of 
fervour,  he  was  but  slow  of  wit.  And  because 
of  the  exceeding  great  devotion  that  he  had  for 
the  glorious  Virgin,  whilst  he  was  still  very 
young  he  laboured  greatly  that  he  might  perfect 
himself  in  the  saying  of  her  Mass.  And  this 
he  learnt,  though  indeed  he  was  unlettered  and 
knew  nought  that  a  clerk  should  understand ; 
but  those  other  Masses  which  Holy  Church 
appoints  for  the  due  observing  of  her  feasts, 
he  might  not  learn,  for  all  scholarship  was  too 
hard  for  him  save  when  it  concerned  the 
Mistress  whom  he  loved. 

And  this  young  man,  being  greatly  impatient 
280 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

to  serve  the  Queen  of  Angels  at  her  altar,  did  Saint 

so    importune    his    Ordinary    that    at    last    he   Thomas  of 

prevailed    with    him,   and  despite   his    lack   of  Canterbury 

learning  was  made  priest.     And  every  day  in 

the  chapel  that  was  at  his  house  he  did  celebrate 

the    Mass    of    Christ's    Mother,    to  wit,    that 

which  beginneth  "  Salve,  sancta  Parens,"  with 

much    devotion    and    a    right    heavenly    joy. 

Which  thing  was  greatly  pleasing  to  our  most 

holy  Lady,  for  she  despises   not  the  love  of 

unlettered  men. 

But  otherwise  was  it  with  the  priests  that 
were  his  neighbours ;  for  they  were  filled  with 
envy  because  the  greater  piety  of  his  life  did 
manifest  the  worldliness  of  theirs.  Therefore 
they  cited  him  before  Saint  Thomas  the  Arch- 
bishop, because,  knowing  but  one  Mass,  the 
which  he  repeated  daily,  he  had  dared  to  take 
on  himself  the  duties  of  a  priest. 

"  Thus,"  they  said,  "  is  the  Church  brought 
to  scorn  and  God's  enemies  are  exalted  !  This 
ignorant  man,  that  can  say  but  one  Mass,  were 
better  at  the  plough  than  at  the  altar,  for 
indeed  it  is  an  insult  to  God  to  take  Him  thus 
ignorantly  into  our  hands.  We  know  that  His 
service  demands  great  scholarship,  to  the  which 
this  clerk  cannot  attain,  for  he  lacks  under- 
standing. Therefore  we  pray  that  he  be  de- 
prived of  his  benefice,  and  that  it  be  given  to 
some  other  in  his  stead. " 

Then  Saint  Thomas  questioned  the  young 
priest  concerning  this  matter  ;  and  he  denied 
nought,  but  said  that  indeed  he  did  celebrate 

281 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  daily  the  Mass  of  the   Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 

Thomas  of     nor  had  he  used  any  other  Mass  since  he  was 

Canterbury    hallowed.     And  the  Archbishop  marvelled  very 

much,  and  grieved  that  he  could  give  him  no 

dispensation,  for  he  knew  him  for  an  holy  man, 

though  lacking  scholarship.     Therefore  he  said 

to  him : 

"  My  son,  now  must  you  cease  the  saying  of 
the  Mass,  and  you  must  apply  yourself  to 
scholarship  until  you  have  learned  those  matters 
wherein  a  priest  should  be  well  skilled.  And 
when  this  you  have  done,  I  will  give  you  back 
your  benefice,  and  you  shall  celebrate  Our 
Lady's  Mass  again." 

When  this  he  heard,  that  chaplain  was 
greatly  cast  down ;  for  he  knew  that  these 
things  were  too  hard  for  him,  and  the  service 
of  his  Mistress  was  all  the  joy  that  he  had. 
And  he  went  home  to  his  chapel,  wherein  he 
had  a  right  fair  image  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
that  was  above  the  altar,  and  he  stood  before 
that  image  and  cried,  saying : 

"  Alas !  most  merciful  Mother  and  Lady, 
what  news  is  this  ?  I  have  lived  wholly  for 
your  sake,  and  for  this  I  have  despised  marriage 
and  renounced  the  having  of  children,  that  I 
might  the  more  perfectly  serve  you.  And 
behold  !  all  my  care  goes  for  nought,  and  I  am 
cast  down  in  confusion  and  utterly  contemned ; 
for  because  I  am  ignorant  and  dull  of  wit  I 
may  no  longer  celebrate  your  Mass,  the  which 
I  had  promised  to  do  all  the  days  of  my  life. 
For  they  do  say  that  I  have  sinned,  in  that  I 
282 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

have   come  ignorantly  to  your  altar,  there   to  Saint 
take  your  Son  into    my  hands.     Sweet   Saint  Thomas  of 
Mary,  most  glorious  Virgin  !     I  have  no  other  Canterbury 
helper  left  but  you,  to  make   my  peace  with 
Jesu  Christ  your  Son.     Will  you  not  aid  me  ? 
for  well    I   know  that   your   intercessions   are 
acceptable  to  God ;  and  indeed,   if  I  may  not 
serve  you,  then  would  I  rather  die." 

This  said,  he  wept  bitterly,  and  threw  him- 
self down  before  the  altar,  for  he  was  exceeding 
sore  of  heart.  And  behold,  the  merciful 
Mother,  seeing  her  chaplain  so  full  of  grief, 
had  compassion  on  him,  and  she  spoke  by  the 
mouth  of  her  image,  saying  : 

"  My  dear  one,  lift  up  your  heart  and  be  at 
peace,  for  I  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  taken 
from  my  service  ;  and  think  not  that  my  Son  is 
vexed  against  you,  for  all  His  Mother's  servants 
are  His  friends.  Go  therefore  to  your  arch- 
bishop, and  speak  with  him  secretly,  saying : 
*  My  Lord,  the  Lady  your  Sweetheart  has  sent 
me  unto  you ;  the  same  that  did  come  to  you 
in  the  monastery  church  of  Pontigny,  and  with 
needle  and  thread  did  mend  your  breeches  of 
hair.  And  she  says  and  demands  that  because 
I  am  her  chaplain,  and  have  given  myself  alto- 
gether to  her  service,  I  may  not  be  letted  in 
the  saying  of  her  Mass.  In  this  you  have 
wronged  her,  for  in  all  the  city  of  Canterbury 
there  is  none  other  priest  that  devotes  himself 
wholly  to  her  praise." 

When  he  heard  the  Queen  of  Heaven  that 
spake  thus  to  him,  that  chaplain  was  greatly 

283 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Saint  amazed  ;  and    he    burst    forth   into  lauds  and 

Thomas  of     thanksgivings,  for  that  of  her  pitiful  mercy  she 

Canterbury    ^ad    snOwn    this  favour  unto  her  poor   clerk. 

Then  he  arose  and  went  quickly  to  the  palace 

of  the  Archbishop  ;    but  when  he  came  there 

he  found  great  press  of  people,  priests,  clerks, 

and  gentlemen,  that  were  in  the  antechamber, 

and  they  would  not  suffer  him  to  come  in  to 

the  bishop  where  he  held  his  court. 

And  they  spoke  of  him  one  to  another, 
mocking,  and  saying,  "  See  !  there  is  the 
ignorant  chaplain  that  knows  but  one  Mass," 
for  the  which  cause  he  was  confused  afresh. 

And  after  that  he  had  waited  some  hours, 
there  came  out  from  the  court  the  Archdeacon, 
the  which  knew  this  priest  and  loved  him  for 
the  goodness  and  innocency  of  his  life ;  and  he 
took  and  brought  him  into  the  presence  of 
Saint  Thomas.  Then,  when  the  Archbishop 
saw  him,  he  accosted  him  gently,  as  his  custom 
was  with  all ;  but  when  that  the  young  priest 
prayed  him  that  he  would  amend  his  judgment, 
and  give  him  leave  to  say  his  Mass  again,  he 
reproved  him  very  strictly,  saying  : 

"  Better  would  patience  and  obedience  com- 
port you  than  these  importunities,  carissime. 
All  things  that  are  necessary  I  will  most  wil- 
lingly grant  you  :  but  that  which  you  come  to 
ask  I  cannot  do,  for  Holy  Church  forbids." 

Then  said  the  chaplain,  "  My  Lord,  hear  me 
with  patience ;  for  I  am  sent  to  you  from  that 
Lady  who  in  the  monastery  church  of  Pontigny 
did  mend  your  breeches  of  hair.  And  she  de- 
284 


THE  MIR'ACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

mands  and  ordains  that  you  do  restore  to  me  Saint 
the  grace  of  celebrating  her  Mass,  for  she  knows  Thomas  of 
that  I  love  her  ;  nor  has  she  in  Canterbury  any  Canterbury 
other  priest  that  serves  her  thus." 

When  he  heard  these  words,  Saint  Thomas 
fell  at  the  feet  of  that  chaplain,  and  prayed  him 
that  he  would  intercede  for  him  before  the 
glorious  Virgin,  because  he  had  sinned  in  that 
he  had  entreated  her  servant  amiss.  And  he 
gave  him  his  cure  again,  and  would  have  ad- 
vanced him  to  high  office.  But  that  young 
priest  replied  that  he  knew  himself  to  be  but 
ignorant  and  unworthy  of  any  honour  ;  and 
therefore  he  asked  only  that  he  might  serve  his 
Mistress,  who,  of  her  infinite  compassion,  did 
deign  to  receive  his  prayers. 

And  so  did  he  do ;  but  whereas  aforetime  he 
had  indeed  been  slow  of  wit,  now  by  God's 
grace  he  was  quick  to  learn,  so  that  soon  he 
might  do  all  things  that  became  a  priest,  and 
rightly  say  the  Daily  Office.  Yet  because  of 
the  mercy  that  he  had  had  of  the  glorious 
Virgin,  he  kept  his  old  and  loving  custom  ; 
nor  did  he  ever,  so  long  as  he  lived,  celebrate 
any  other  Mass  than  that  of  Our  Lady  Saint 
Mary. 


285 


THE  DIVINE  ENCOUNTER 


OF  A  YOUNG  GENTLEWOMAN,  THAT  WAS 
ACCUSTOMED  TO  INCITE  THE  LITTLE 
CHILDREN  TO  SAY  "AVE,  MARIA!"  AND 
HOW  GOD  APPEARED  TO  HER  IN  THE  FORM 
OF  A  LITTLE  CHILD 

OUR  sweet  Lady,  that  is  the  most  glorious  The  Divine 
Virgin  Mary,  has  ever  been  the  friend  Encounter 
of  maidens  and  the  guardian  of  pure  woman- 
hood.      Yea,    and    to    them    that    serve    her 
maidenly,  having  given   their  virtue   into  her 
keeping,    she    will    always    preserve    it    as   an 
heavenly  treasure. 

Now  one  such  servant  had  the  Blessed  Virgin 
in  the  old  time ;  to  wit,  a  certain  young  gen- 
tlewoman of  noble  breeding, that  was  most  lovely 
and  discreet.  She  was  sought  of  many  because 
of  her  loveliness  and  fair  report ;  but  for  the 
great  love  and  devotion  which  she  had  for  the 
Virgin  Mary,  she  was  set  upon  another  under- 
taking, namely,  upon  the  keeping  of  her 
maidenhead.  And  all  that  love  which  she 
might  have  given  to  an  husband  and  to 
children  she  offered  to  her  celestial  Bride- 
groom, and  to  the  poor,  that  are  the  little 
children  of  Christ. 

T  289 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Divine       For  she   said,   "  Since  none  ever   called   my 

Encounter      dear  Lady  wife,  why  should  I  ask  for  it  ?    And 

what  children  should  I  desire  if  not  her  little 

ones,  that  are  every  one  the  brothers  and  sisters 

of  the  Holy  Child  ?  " 

Therefore  this  gentlewoman  refused  her- 
self steadfastly  to  all  lovers,  tempted  neither 
by  riches  nor  by  fairness  of  body  nor  by  brave 
deeds.  "  For,"  she  said,  "  I  have  chosen  a 
fairer  Master,  that  is  the  Captain  of  a  more 
shining  chivalry."  And  she  lived  solitary  and 
in  great  simplicity,  having  always  with  her  the 
pure  love  of  Our  Lady,  the  which  puts  all 
luxury  to  despite.  Yet,  having  this  great  gift 
of  a  devout  chastity,  still  she  thought  herself 
little  worthy  for  the  service  of  that  Queen, 
holding  herself  to  be  but  the  lowest  of  Saint 
Mary's  handmaids,  and  spotted  with  many 
faults  :  so  great  was  the  meekness  of  her  heart. 
Those  only,  she  thought,  that  had  still  the 
hearts  of  little  children  could  bring  to  that 
service  the  white  innocency  it  must  have ;  and 
only  from  children's  lips  could  the  Virgin 
Mother  hear  again  the  melody  of  that  pure 
and  perfect  love  which  her  own  Child  had 
brought  into  the  world. 

Therefore  this  maiden,  that  loved  the  honour 
of  Our  Lady  above  everything — yea,  even  above 
the  gaining  of  .merit  and  the  safety  of  her  soul 
— was  accustomed  to  call  to  her  side  those  little 
children  whom  she  met  with  in  the  way,  and  to 
caress  them  and  promise  them  a  little  gift  if 
they  would  say  after  her  the  Ave,  Maria ! 
290 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

For  thus,  she  said,  the   circle  of  Our  Lady's  The  Divine 
lovers  would  grow  wider ;  and  that  Angelical  Encounter 
Salutation,  the  which  was  always  in  her  heart, 
would  be  offered  for  her  by  unsullied  lips. 

So  it  was,  that  one  day  as  she  went  about 
her  business  she  met  a  young  and  most  fair  boy 
upon  the  road.  Never,  she  thought,  had  she 
seen  a  child  more  fit  for  God's  service,  for  he 
walked  as  a  king's  son,  yet  meekly  as  becomes 
a  little  boy.  When  she  spoke  to  him,  he  saluted 
her  right  courteously ;  and  he  looked  on  her 
without  fear  very  sweetly,  as  one  who  knew  she 
was  his  friend. 

And  she  said,  "  My  fair  boy,  because  by  God's 
will  we  have  met  upon  the  road,  will  you  not 
say  with  me  the  words  of  the  Ave,  Maria  ?  For 
it  is  the  duty  of  all  children  to  salute  thus  their 
dear  Mother,  that  is  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary. 
If  this  you  will  do,  I  will  give  you  this  beautiful 
apple  which  I  have  here." 

And  the  boy  answered,  "  That  will  I  do  most 
willingly." 

Then  this  gentlewoman  began  to  say  the  Ave, 
Maria!  and  the  child  also  said  it  after  her,  word 
after  word,  with  great  seriousness  and  attention, 
as  if  he  knew  not  how  to  say  it  alone.  And  the 
girl  praised  Our  Lady,  for  that  she  had  allowed 
her  to  be  the  means  of  teaching  this  most  dear 
and  gentle  boy  the  noble  salutation,  for  she 
thought,  "The  defects  of  my  offering  may 
surely  be  made  good  by  the  inriocency  of  his." 

But  when  that  they  were  come  to  the  Domi- 
nus  Tecum,  the  child  ceased  to  repeat  that  which 

291 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Divine  she  taught  him,  and  stayed  silent.     The  gentle- 

Encounter      woman  thought  he  had  not  heard  her  rightly, 

and  she  recited  the  words  several  times,  gently 

and  slowly,  that  he  might  say  them  after  her ; 

but  he  would  not. 

Then  she  admonished  him,  and  said,  c<  Dear 
boy,  it  is  not  enough  that  we  should  salute  Our 
Lady,  saying,  *  Hail,  Mary !  full  of  grace  ! ' 
For  this  it  is  truly  right  to  do ;  but  it  is  also 
our  duty  that  we  confess,  as  the  Angel  Gabriel 
did,  that  God  is  with  her,  even  the  Lord  Christ. 
Therefore  say  after  me  those  words  that  I  have 
taught  you,  that  God  may  be  also  with  you." 

But  still  the  child  spake  not ;  no,  though  she 
again  charged  him  that  he  should  do  it.  And 
several  times  over  she  said  to  him  that  he 
should  do  this  devoir,  lest  God  be  offended  by 
his  lack  of  love.  And  at  last,  when  he  saw 
how  strongly  she  pressed  him,  and  that  she 
would  not  let  him  go  from  her  until  he  had 
recited  the  Dominus  Tecum,  the  child  said  to  her 
exceeding  sweetly : 

"  What  would  you  that  I  should  say,  and  how 
is  it  possible  that  I  should  offer  to  My  Mother 
this  prayer  ?  For  I  am  that  Lord  Himself  of 
Whom  speaks  the  Ave  Maria:  'Et  ille  benedic- 
tus  fructus  ventris  sum." 

And  having  said  these  words,  He  vanished, 
and  she  was  alone  in  the  way. 

Then  the  girl  knew  that  Our  Lord  Himself 
had  visited  her  in  His  own  Person,  by  His  Most 
Blessed  Mother's  grace ;  and  because  she  had 
ever  desired  that  Mother's  honour,  He  had 
292 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

deigned  of  His  great  mercy  to  take  from  her  The  Divine 
lips  the  Angelic  Salutation,  making  Himself  Encounter 
even  as  those  little  children  that  she  taught  to 
be  of  His  brotherhood.  Thus  doth  He  bless 
the  lowly  and  the  pure  of  heart,  making  Him- 
self the  mediator  of  their  prayers.  Then  went 
she  home,  praising  Him,  and  saying,  '  Quia 
respexit  humilitatem  ancillae  suae,'  for  she  was 
exalted  with  a  most  holy  joy.  And  by  this 
adventure  she  was  so  greatly  consoled,  and  so 
filled  with  a  burning  love  towards  Jesu  Christ 
and  His  glorious  Mother,  that  afterwards  she 
lived  even  more  devoutly  than  she  had  afore- 
time done.  Nor  did  she  cease  to  seek  out  the 
little  children  and  make  herself  their  friend,  for 
she  said : 

"  It  may  be  that  I  shall  see  Him  again,  for  I 
know  that  He  is  with  them." 

Thus  did  she  serve  God  and  Saint  Mary 
many  years  ;  and  having  passed  her  earthly 
days  in  the  midst  of  good  works,  of  innocency, 
and  of  love,  she  did  at  last  most  gloriously  give 
back  her  soul  to  God. 


293 


THE  CHURCH  THAT  IS 
IN  EGYPT 


HERE  WE  TELL  HOW  THE  MOST  HOLY 
VIRGIN  APPEARED  TO  THE  ARCHBISHOP 
THEOPHILUS,  AND  INSTRUCTED  HIM  CON- 
CERNING THE  JOURNEY  THAT  SHE  TOOK 
INTO  EGYPT  WITH  HER  SON 

THEOPHILUS  the  Archbishop,  a  good  and  The  Church 
pious  man,  was  Patriarch  of  Alexandria  that  ls  ln 
in  the  days  wherein  our  holy  fathers,  Saint 
Augustine,  Saint  Ambrose,  and  Saint  John 
Chrysostom  ruled  in  the  Church  of  God.  And 
he,  being  thus  set  over  the  Egyptian  Church, 
wondered  oft  concerning  it,  in  what  manner  it 
had  been  stablished,  and  whence  had  come  the 
grace  that  dwelt  therein.  For  it  is  the  tradition 
of  the  saints  that  this  church  is  the  first  in 
all  the  world,  being  founded  by  our  Saviour 
Jesu,  when  He  fled,  a  little  Child,  into  Egypt 
in  His  Mother's  arms  ;  and  resting  in  the  place 
that  is  called  Heliopolis,  where  a  great  church 
now  is,  did  bless  it  and  consecrate  it  for  ever  to 
His  service,  and  that  of  His  Father,  Almighty 
God.  But  others  there  be  that  utterly  deny 
the  matter,  and  say  not  that  Christ  Himself 
brought  His  Church  into  this  land. 

Now  Theophilus  the  Archbishop,  pondering 

297 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  these  things,  was  greatly  perplexed ;  and  he 
that  is  in  most  ardently  desired  to  know  the  truth  of  it. 
And  on  one  Sunday  night,  standing  in  the 
church  of  Heliopolis  after  that  the  Evening 
Office  had  been  said,  and  the  bishop  and  the 
elders  had  betaken  them  to  sleep,  he,  being 
filled  with  exceeding  longing  for  this  knowledge, 
did  go  up  to  that  high  place  where  abideth  the 
picture  of  our  holy  Lady,  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  Mother  of  God  ;  and  standing  before 
her,  he  stretched  out  his  hands  in  holy  suppli- 
cation, saying : 

"  Hear  me,  oh  my  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesu 
Christ,  Who  didst  hearken  unto  them  that  were 
gathered  together  in  the  council  of  Nicaea,so  that 
they  did  stablish  the  Creed  of  God,  and  didst 
enlighten  Athanasius  Thy  servant,  and  bring 
him  out  of  great  tribulation  to  much  honour 
and  peace !  Behold,  I,  Thy  poor  minister 
Theophilus,  am  sore  perplexed  ;  and  therefore 
I  beseech  Thee  that  Thou  wilt  show  me  how 
Thou  didst  come  and  dwell  in  this  house  in  the 
wilderness,  and  establish  Thy  Holy  Church 
therein,  that  thereby  I  may  gather  strength  the 
better  to  build  up  this  house,  that  it  may  be- 
come a  mighty  church  for  the  cherishing  of 
Thy  children  and  the  honour  of  Thy  Name." 

And  when  he  had  so  prayed,  behold!  a  great 
light  appeared  to  him,  so  that  he  thought  the 
sun  had  risen,  for  midnight  was  long  past  and 
it  was  very  dark  within  the  church :  and  within 
this  holy  light  he  saw  with  great  awe  and 
thanksgiving  the  Queen  of  Women,  even  Our 
298 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

Blessed  Lady  that  gave  birth  to  God.    Exceed-  The  Church 
ing  splendour  of  great  radiance  was  about  her,  that  is  in 
and  with  her  were    Saint    Michael    and  Saint 
Gabriel    and    great    company    of   angels    that 
worshipped  and  rejoiced.     When  this  he  saw, 
Theophilus   was   full   of   dread,    and   he   fell 
down   upon   the  ground  as  one  that  swoons ; 
but  Saint  Michael  raised  him  up  right  cour- 
teously, and  the  glorious  Virgin  spoke  to  him 
and  said : 

"Fear  not,  Theophilus !  for  I  am  come  in 
answer  to  thy  prayer.  Salutation  unto  thee, 
thou  strong  corner-stone  of  the  Church  of 
God.  Behold,  I  am  Mary,  the  daughter  of 
Anna  and  Joachim,  of  the  tribe  of  Juda,  of  the 
seed  of  David ;  and  I  am  come  to  thee  at  the 
desire  of  my  beloved  Son,  that  I  may  show 
thee  concerning  the  manner  of  His  journey 
into  this  land." 

Then  did  Theophilus  the  Archbishop  give 
thanks  with  exceeding  devotion ;  and  when  he 
had  so  done,  Our  Lady  saith  to  him : 

4 'Now  will  I  reveal  to  you  how  that  the 
Holy  One  did  come  to  Egypt,  and  the  wonders 
that  He  did  therein,  the  grace  of  the  which 
miracles  doth  still  endure.  And  think  not  that 
He  came  with  earthly  majesty,  rather  was  it  a 
bitter  pilgrimage  and  perilous :  for  we  came  on 
foot,  because  our  estate  was  very  lowly,  for  He 
that  rideth  on  the  clouds  of  Heaven  desireth 
not  the  chariots  of  men. 

"  Now  when  Gabriel  the  Archangel  warned  us 
concerning  those  things  that  Herod  would  do ; 

299 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  how  that  he  would  kill  every  male  child,  that 
that  is  in  amongst  them  he  might  take  my  little  Son,  we 
rose  up,  and  came  into  this  country  as  quickly 
as  we  might;  and  Joseph  was  with  me,  and  also 
Salome.  And  I  was  full  of  fear,  in  that  being 
a  virgin,  very  ignorant  and  young,  the  only 
child  of  my  mother,  I  had  no  knowledge  of 
the  manner  in  which  little  children  should  be 
cherished.  But  I  carried  my  Child  as  well  as  I 
could,  sometimes  on  my  shoulders,  sometimes 
on  my  back,  and  sometimes  in  my  arms  ;  and 
ofttimes  I  was  very  weary  because  of  the  length 
of  the  way,  for  I  was  a  little  woman,  and  weak. 
Then  would  Salome  carry  Him  for  me  in  turn  ; 
and  sometimes  I  would  set  Him  on  the  ground 
that  He  might  follow  me,  as  the  women  of  my 
country  do  when  they  teach  their  little  ones  to 
walk.  And  my  Baby  would  walk  a  little  way, 
holding  to  the  hem  of  my  skirt ;  and  then,  as 
other  children  will,  He  would  cry  to  me  to 
carry  Him  again.  And  so  soon  as  He  desired 
it  I  would  pick  Him  up  right  swiftly  and  em- 
brace Him,  and  rejoice  in  His  walking,  as  is  the 
manner  of  women  with  their  first-born  sons. 

"  Now  when  that  we  had  been  many  days  upon 
our  journey,  and  were  full  heart-sick  because 
we  could  find  no  place  wherein  to  tarry,  for  we 
were  very  footsore  and  the  Child  needed  rest, 
we  came  near  to  a  certain  city ;  and  without 
the  gates  of  it  we  fell  in  with  two  thieves,  an 
Hebrew  and  an  Egyptian,  that  went  in  com- 
pany. Then,  when  they  saw  us,  the  Hebrew 
saith  to  his  companion  : 
300 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

" '  Do  you  see  this  Woman    and    her    Son,   The  Church 
whose  apparel  shines  like  royal  raiment  ?     Let  that  is  in 
us  wait  a  little  and  watch  them,  that  we  may  Egypt 
see  whether  it  be  possible  to  take  it  from  them  ; 
for  very  surely  it  is  of  much  price,  and  I  desire 
it  greatly.     Here  we  are  too  near  the  city,  but 
if  we  might  meet  them  in  the  desert  we  could 
despoil  them  as  we  chose,  for  little  could  this 
old  man  do  in  their  defence.' 

"  Saith  the  Egyptian  :  '  Let  be,  and  do  not 
molest  this  woman  and  her  little  one,  for  these 
are  no  common  folk  though  they  go  on  foot. 
Verily,  I  have  not  seen  so  wonderful  a  Child 
since  the  day  that  I  was  born,  and  I  think  that 
He  must  be  a  king's  son/ 

"  Then  those  thieves  went  their  way ;  and 
when  they  were  gone,  Joseph  and  Salome  sat 
them  down  to  rest  beside  the  road.  But  I, 
because  I  needed  water  for  the  Child,  took  Him 
in  my  arms  and  entered  into  the  city,  for  I 
thought  that  some  woman  would  give  it  me 
for  the  Baby's  sake.  But  though  I  asked  it  of 
many,  none  would  give  it  me,  for  the  people 
of  that  place  were  hard  of  heart.  And  behold  ! 
as  I  went  with  my  Son  through  the  market 
place,  the  idols  that  were  set  therein  fell  down 
with  a  great  sound,  and  were  broken  ;  for  the 
which  cause  the  citizens  were  much  afraid,  for 
they  thought  that  some  sorcerer  was  come  into 
the  town.  Then,  because  I  could  not  have 
what  I  needed,  I  came  out,  and  said  to  Joseph 
and  Salome  : 

"  *  Rise  up,  let  us  depart  from  this  city ;  for 

301 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  the  people  thereof  have  no  mercy,  and  I  cannot 
that  is  in  get  water  for  the  Child/  And  being  sorely 
wearied  I  wept,  for  I  knew  not  what  to  do. 

"  And  when  that  my  Baby  saw  me  weeping, 
He  sought  to  wipe  away  my  tears  with  His 
little  fingers,  and  He  said  :  '  Grieve  not,  dear 
Mother,  for  we  shall  have  all  things  that  we 
need.'  And  laying  His  hand  upon  the  ground, 
that  was  much  parched  by  the  drought  there 
was  in  all  the  land,  at  once  a  spring  of  water 
welled  up  from  beneath  it,  that  was  sweet  as 
honey  and  white  as  milk  ;  and  we  drank  of  it 
and  were  refreshed  thereby. 

"  Then,  when  our  thirst  was  quenched,  my 
little  Child  made  the  sign  of  Holy  Cross  above 
that  spring  of  water,  and  He  blessed  it,  saying, 
4  Let  this  water  be  for  the  healing  and  refresh- 
ment of  all  that  shall  drink  therefrom  :  save 
only  the  people  of  this  city,  that  have  harshly 
entreated  My  Mother  and  caused  her  to  weep/ 

"  And  we  rose  up  and  went  on  our  way  ;  but 
now  the  day  was  near  spent,  and  the  road  was 
wearisome  and  very  hard  to  find.  Now  we 
journeyed  toward  this  mountain  whereon  now 
I  stand,  for  we  hoped  to  find  shelter  therein ; 
and  Joseph  was  much  vexed,  for  he  thought  it 
were  better  that  we  had  rested  near  the  city 
than  that  we  should  be  alone  in  the  desert  when 
night  fell,  in  that  it  was  greatly  solitary,  and  no 
defence  should  we  have  if  any  set  on  us  to  do 
us  hurt.  But  I  would  not  stay  under  the 
shadow  of  that  place  where  they  had  refused 
water  to  my  Son. 
302 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

"  And  behold  !  at  the  hour  of  sunset,  as  we  The  Church 
went  by  the  side  of  this   mountain,  a  difficult  *?*  ls  m 
way  and   perilous,  those  two  thieves  that  we 
had    aforetime  met  outside  the  city  came  and 
followed  in  our  steps ;  and  when  we  saw  them 
we  were  full  of  fear,  for  we  knew  not  what  to 
do.     And  the  Child  was  asleep  in  my  arms,  for 
He  was  very  tired.     Then,  when  they  saw  how 
that  they  were  discovered,   those  two  thieves 
rushed  on  us  with  drawn  swords,  saying  : 

" '  Many  days  have  we  followed  you  and 
found  you  not,  oh  strange  woman  that  goes  on 
foot  in  royal  raiment ;  and  now,  behold !  you 
are  delivered  into  our  hands  where  none  can 
give  you  help.' 

"Then  did  they  snatch  my  sweet  Son  from  out 
my  arms,  and  took  off  His  raiment  and  left 
Him  naked  upon  the  earth  ;  and  my  apparel 
they  took  also,  even  to  the  veil  wherewith  I 
covered  my  head.  Now  these  were  those 
garments  of  wine-coloured  stuff  that  I  had 
from  out  my  mother's  house  in  the  days  of  my 
betrothal.  And  from  Joseph,  that  stood  there 
like  an  innocent  sheep,  knowing  not  what  he 
should  do,  they  took  clothing  also  ;  and  Salome, 
seeing  these  things,  cast  down  her  garments 
before  them  lest  she  be  evilly  used.  Then, 
gathering  all  up,  those  thieves  left  us  where  we 
stood,  and  went  apart  and  conversed  together: 
and  I  was  full  of  dread,  seeing  that  they  took 
counsel,  for  I  said  in  my  heart,  '  They  will 
take  me,  and  make  of  me  their  bondwoman, 
and  my  little  Child  they  will  surely  kill.' 

303 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  "  And  being  greatly  sorrowful  I  lifted  Him  up 
that  is  in  in  my  arms,  all  naked  as  they  had  left  Him, 
and  wept  and  laid  my  face  to  His  face,  so  that 
my  tears  ran  down  upon  His  head.  And  I 
mourned,  saying  :  '  Woe  is  me,  woe  is  me,  oh, 
my  sweet  Son  !  Whither  shall  I  escape,  and 
where  can  I  bestow  You  safely,  for  that  all  men 
seek  Your  destruction  wheresoever  we  go  ?  I 
fled  from  Jerusalem  lest  Herod  should  take 
You ;  and  lo  !  wicked  men  pursue  You  even 
into  this  wilderness.  Ah,  my  little  Child  ! 
how  greatly  unfortunate  I  am,  that,  being  a 
young  maiden,  I  have  no  wisdom  to  know  what 
I  should  do.  Whom  do  I  know  in  this  country 
who  would  cherish  the  Light  of  my  eyes  ? 
Where  can  I  go  ?  Verily,  all  women  that  have 
borne  children  would  weep  for  pity  could  they 
see  me  now !  Ah  !  dearest  Baby,  how  shall  I 
endure  it  if  they  kill  You  ?  How  shall  I  live 
without  the  sweet  and  heavenly  words  that  You 
speak  to  me  each  day  ?  I  would  that  those 
mothers  whose  children  Herod  slew  could  weep 
with  me  this  night ! ' 

"And  whilst  I  lamented  thus,  weeping  in  great 
anguish,  so  that  my  tears  streamed  down  upon 
the  body  of  the  Child,  that  thief  that  was  an 
Egyptian  saw  it;  and  being  filled  with  com- 
passion because  of  my  grief,  his  heart  was 
moved  toward  us  by  God's  grace.  Then  he 
said  to  the  Hebrew  his  partner  : 

" '  My  brother,  it  were  well  not  to  take  the 
raiment  of  these  travellers,  for  I  am  sure  that 
if  we  do  so  ill  will  come  of  it.  For  I  see  on 
304 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

their  faces  a  light  greater  than  that  which  shines  The  Church 
on   other  folk,  and    this  Child  that    we    have  *h** « m 
stripped  is  like  unto  a  king's  son,  so  great  a 
beauty  hath  He  got.' 

"  But  that  thief  that  was  a  Jew  replied  to  him 
very  sourly,  saying :  '  Hold  your  peace,  for  I 
will  in  no  wise  give  back  the  apparel  we  have 
taken  from  these  wanderers;  for  it  is  exceeding 
rich  and  fair,  and  merchants  will  give  us  much 
gold  for  it.  And  nothing  can  they  do  to  hurt 
us,  in  that  here  they  are  helpless  in  the  wilder- 
ness ;  wherefore  it  would  be  folly  to  leave  them 
undespoiled.' 

"  Saith  the  Egyptian  :  '  I  will  not  consent  to 
it,  for  my  heart  is  moved  with  pity  towards 
this  little  Child.  Take  therefore  my  portion 
of  that  spoil  which  we  did  take  yesterday  in 
the  city,  and  give  me  in  exchange  the  raiment 
of  the  Child  and  His  Mother  that  I  may  give 
it  back  to  them.  Verily,  I  cannot  endure  to 
see  this  little  one  lying  naked  in  His  Mother's 
arms,  as  do  the  children  of  the  poor.' 

"  Answered  the  Hebrew  :  c  Take,  if  you  will.' 
Then  did  the  merciful  thief  take  and  give  it 
back  to  us,  and  I  dressed  my  Son  full  joyfully 
and  put  on  my  cloak  and  veil  again. 

"  Now  when  my  dear  Baby  saw  this  courtesy 
that  the  Egyptian  did  to  us,  He  made  a  sign 
like  unto  a  seal  over  him  with  His  little  fingers 
very  sweetly ;  then  did  those  two  thieves  de- 
part from  us,  and  we  gave  thanks  for  our 
deliverance  to  Almighty  God.  And  when  this 
we  had  done,  Jesu  saith  to  me : 

u  305 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  "  '  Mother,  forget  not  these  two  thieves,  but 
that  is  in  keep  their  likeness  ever  in  your  heart ;  for  I 
say  unto  you  that  in  the  day  of  My  Passion 
they  shall  be  crucified  with  Me,  one  on  the 
right  hand  and  one  on  the  left,  in  Jerusalem  by 
the  Jews.  And  that  thief  the  Egyptian,  whom 
My  Father  in  Heaven  hath  moved  to  show  Me 
mercy  this  day,  the  same  is  he  that  shall  believe 
on  Me  when  I  hang  upon  the  tree  of  the  Cross 
to  suffer  for  the  sins  of  men,  and  he  shall  enter 
into  the  Garden  of  Paradise,  being  the  first- 
fruits  of  My  Saints.  But  the  Jew  shall  not 
believe.  And  as  for  this  place  wherein  they 
have  stripped  Me  naked,  and  you  have  washed 
My  body  with  the  sweet  tears  of  your  eyes, 
behold,  a  fountain  shall  here  spring  forth  that 
shall  be  for  the  healing  of  every  sick  person 
that  washeth  therein.  For  the  tears  that  you 
shed  for  love  of  Me  shall  refresh  the  world 
and  give  it  life.' 

4 'But  whiles  my  little  Child  spake  thus,  the 
night  was  come  upon  us  very  dark,  and  Joseph 
admonished  me,  for  he  was  greatly  impatient, 
saying  : 

'"  Come,  tarry  not,  let  us  be  gone,  that  we 
may  reach  the  city  as  quickly  as  may  be.  For 
because  you  would  not  listen  to  me,  that 
would  have  stayed  in  safety  near  the  town, 
behold  !  we  are  here  in  the  midst  of  the 
desert,  where  no  shelter  is  nor  help  against 
wild  beasts,  and  darkness  is  come.  Verily, 
were  it  not  for  the  goodness  of  God,  already 
we  had  been  killed  by  these  thieves;  and  it 
306 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

may  well  be  that  they  will  return  and  set  upon   The  Church 
us  anew.'  that  is  *n 

"  Then  my  Baby  looked  into  Joseph's  face  ESfPt 
and  said  :  4  Speak  not  thus  to  My  Mother,  oh, 
father,  for  it  is  My  will  that  you  entreat  her 
with  courtesy.  Behold  !  it  was  not  by  your 
will,  but  rather  by  the  will  of  My  Father  that 
is  in  Heaven,  that  I  was  made  man  ;  therefore 
He  hath  not  put  it  into  your  power  to  rule 
over  Me,  for  it  is  I  that  do  rule  the  world. 
Nevertheless,  I  will  go  where  you  wish  and  do 
in  all  things  as  you  desire/ 

"  And  we  set  forth,  and  ascended  into  the 
mountain  whereto  we  had  journeyed  ;  and  there 
we  found  this  house  where  now  I  am,  that  was 
a  temple  of  false  gods.  And  because  we  were 
very  weary  we  entered  into  it  full  gladly,  and  I 
stood  in  the  midst  of  it  and  set  my  Son  upon 
the  ground.  Then  He,  having  His  holy  feet 
set  upon  this  earth  that  is  before  your  eyes, 
lifted  up  His  hands,  and  straitway  the  house 
was  altogether  filled  with  light  divine ;  and  I 
saw  angels,  that  came  and  fed  the  Child,  and 
the  hosts  of  Heaven  here  worshipped  at  His 
feet.  Then  did  I  give  thanks  to  God,  Who 
had  delivered  us  from  evil  men  and  brought  us 
to  this  resting-place ;  and  we  abode  here  a  long 
while,  blessing  and  praising  Him.  And  we 
had  all  things  whereof  we  stood  in  need,  for 
without  the  temple  there  was  a  cistern  of  stone, 
where  the  well  of  water  now  is,  and  my  Child 
laying  His  hands  upon  it,  it  was  filled  even  to 
the  brim  ;  and  Salome,  finding  a  basin  and  a 

307 


THE  MIRACLES  OF  OUR  LADY 

The  Church  pitcher  in  the  temple,  we  washed  Him  therein, 
that  is  in  and  laid  Him  to  rest.  And  this  shall  be  for  a 
sign  how  that  the  Son  of  God  here  rested  on 
His  journey  ;  wherefore  this  place  is  very  holy, 
for  it  is  the  first  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt  where 
my  Child  did  rest  and  was  at  peace.'7 

And  thus  said,  the  holy  Virgin  went  out 
from  the  church  of  Heliopolis,  and  with  her 
Saint  Michael  and  Saint  Gabriel  and  all  the 
angels  of  her  host ;  and  the  Patriarch  Theo- 
philus  was  alone. 


HOC  OPUS  EXPLETUR 
DEITATI  GRATIA  DETUR 
ET  MATRI  DOMINI 
QUAE  NOSTRA  SIT  PIA  FINI 

AMEN. 


Printed  by  BALLANTYNE  &•»  Co.  LIMITED 
Tavistock  Street,  London 


EEC. 


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